Display processing apparatus, image forming system, and computer-readable storage medium

ABSTRACT

A display processing apparatus includes a receiving unit configured to receive display information indicating whether gloss-control plane image data is displayed and whether clear plane image data is displayed. The gloss-control plane image data specifies a type of a surface effect applied to a recording medium and a glossy area to which the surface effect is to be applied, and indicates a color of the glossy area when being displayed. The clear plane image data specifies a transparent image formed on the recording medium and indicates a color of the transparent image when being displayed. The apparatus also includes a generating unit configured to synthesize color plane image data indicating a color image and one of the gloss-control plane image data and the clear plane image data that is specified to be displayed thus to generate a synthetic image.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority to and incorporates by referencethe entire contents of Japanese Patent Application No. 2011-200743 filedin Japan on Sep. 14, 2011 and Japanese Patent Application No.2012-185616 filed in Japan on Aug. 24, 2012.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a display processing apparatus, animage forming system, and a computer-readable storage medium.

2. Description of the Related Art

Conventionally, there have been developed image forming apparatuses thatprint an image using a transparent developer besides four color tonersof CMYK. Using a transparent developer makes it possible to provide avisual effect and a tactual effect (referred to as a surface effect) ona surface of a recording medium. Furthermore, forming an image with atransparent developer makes it possible to form a transparent image usedfor prevention of falsification and forgery, for example. For such imageforming apparatuses, there has been developed a technology fordisplaying an image obtained by estimating a printing result beforeprinting, that is, a technology for performing so-called previewdisplay. Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2008-145784, forexample, discloses a technology for displaying an image portion to beprinted with transparent toner as a preview.

In the technology disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No.2008-145784, however, the whole area to which the transparent toner isto be applied is collectively switched between being displayed orhidden. As a result, if an area to which a surface effect is to beapplied using the transparent toner and a transparent image to beprinted using the transparent toner both exist, the area to which thesurface effect is to be applied and the transparent image cannot beswitched to be displayed as a preview.

Therefore, there is a need for a display processing apparatus, an imageforming system, and a computer-readable storage medium that can switchbetween an area to which a surface effect is to be applied and atransparent image as preview display.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to at least partially solve theproblems in the conventional technology.

According to an embodiment, there is provided a display processingapparatus that includes a receiving unit configured to receive displayinformation indicating whether gloss-control plane image data isdisplayed and whether clear plane image data is displayed. Thegloss-control plane image data specifies a type of a surface effectapplied to a recording medium and a glossy area to which the surfaceeffect is to be applied, and indicates a color of the glossy area whenbeing displayed. The clear plane image data specifies a transparentimage formed on the recording medium and indicates a color of thetransparent image when being displayed. The display processing apparatusalso includes a generating unit configured to synthesize color planeimage data indicating a color image and one of the gloss-control planeimage data and the clear plane image data that is specified to bedisplayed by the display information thus to generate a synthetic image;and a display control unit configured to make a control that displaysthe synthetic image on a display unit.

According to another embodiment, there is provided an image formingsystem that includes a printing unit configured to form an image on arecording medium based on document data; and a display processingapparatus configured to display a synthetic image indicating a previewimage obtained by estimating a result of printing performed by theprinting unit on a display unit. The display processing apparatusincludes a receiving unit configured to receive display informationindicating whether gloss-control plane image data is displayed andwhether clear plane image data is displayed. The gloss-control planeimage data specifies a type of a surface effect applied to a recordingmedium and a glossy area to which the surface effect is to be applied,and indicates a color of the glossy area when being displayed. The clearplane image data specifies a transparent image formed on the recordingmedium and indicates a color of the transparent image when beingdisplayed. The gloss-control plane image data and the clear plane imagedata are generated based on the document data. The image forming systemincludes a generating unit configured to synthesize color plane imagedata indicating a color image and one of the gloss-control plane imagedata and the clear plane image data that is specified to be displayed bythe display information thus to generate a synthetic image; and adisplay control unit configured to make a control that displays thesynthetic image on the display unit.

According to still another embodiment, there is provided anon-transitory computer-readable recording medium with an executableprogram stored thereon. The program instructs a processor to performreceiving display information indicating whether gloss-control planeimage data is displayed and whether clear plane image data is displayed,the gloss-control plane image data specifying a type of a surface effectapplied to a recording medium and a glossy area to which the surfaceeffect is to be applied, the gloss-control plane image data indicating acolor of the glossy area when being displayed, the clear plane imagedata specifying a transparent image formed on the recording medium andindicating a color of the transparent image when being displayed;synthesizing color plane image data indicating a color image and one ofthe gloss-control plane image data and the clear plane image data thatis specified to be displayed by the display information thus to generatea synthetic image; and displaying the synthetic image on a display unit.

The above and other objects, features, advantages and technical andindustrial significance of this invention will be better understood byreading the following detailed description of presently preferredembodiments of the invention, when considered in connection with theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary schematic configuration of animage forming system according to a first embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a host device according to thefirst embodiment and a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic of an example of first color plane image data;

FIG. 4 is an exemplary schematic of the types of surface effects;

FIG. 5 is a schematic of an example of first gloss-control plane imagedata;

FIG. 6 is a schematic of an example of first clear plane image data;

FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram of a document data generating unit;

FIG. 8 is a schematic of an exemplary screen to be displayed;

FIG. 9 is a schematic of another exemplary screen to be displayed;

FIG. 10 is a schematic of an example of a density value selection table;

FIG. 11 is a schematic of an example of document data structure;

FIGS. 12A, 12B, and 12C illustrate examples of an input screen;

FIG. 13 is a sequence diagram of a process of image display processingperformed by a display processing unit according to the firstembodiment;

FIG. 14 is a flowchart of a process of the image display processingaccording to the first embodiment;

FIG. 15 is a flowchart of separation process according to the firstembodiment;

FIG. 16 is a flowchart of display image generation process according tothe first embodiment;

FIG. 17 is a flowchart of synthetic image generation process accordingto the first embodiment;

FIG. 18 is a schematic of an example of a synthetic image generated byperforming the image display processing according to the firstembodiment;

FIG. 19 is a block diagram of an exemplary configuration of a DFEaccording to the first embodiment;

FIG. 20 is a schematic of an example of a surface effect selectiontable;

FIG. 21 is a schematic of a printing apparatus;

FIG. 22 is a sequence diagram of a process of image display processingperformed by a display processing unit;

FIG. 23 is a schematic of an example of an input screen according to thesecond embodiment;

FIG. 24 is a schematic of an example of a synthetic image generated byperforming image display processing according to the second embodiment;

FIG. 25 is an exemplary schematic of a configuration of an image formingsystem;

FIG. 26 is a block diagram of a functional configuration of a serverdevice;

FIG. 27 is a functional block diagram of a host device;

FIG. 28 is a flowchart of a process of image display processing;

FIG. 29 is a flowchart of a process of image processing; and

FIG. 30 is a block diagram of an exemplary hardware configuration of thehost device and the DFE.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Exemplary embodiments of a display processing apparatus, an imageforming system, and a display processing program according to thepresent invention are described below in greater detail with referenceto the accompanying drawings.

First Embodiment

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary schematic configuration of animage forming system 100 according to a first embodiment of the presentinvention. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the image forming system 100includes a host device 11, a printer control device (a digital frontend, hereinafter referred to as a DFE) 30, an interface control unit (amechanism I/F control unit, hereinafter it may be referred to as an MIC)40, and a printing apparatus 60. The host device 11, the DFE 30, the MIC40, and the printing apparatus 60 are connected via a wired or wirelesscommunication line in a manner capable of transmitting and receivingdata to and from one another.

The host device 11 is formed of a personal computer (PC), for example,and includes function units, such as a document data generating unit 10,a print data generating unit 20, and a display processing unit 15. Inthe present embodiment, an explanation will be made of the case wherethe host device 11 includes the function units of the document datagenerating unit 10, the print data generating unit 20, and the displayprocessing unit 15. However, the function units of the document datagenerating unit 10, the print data generating unit 20, and the displayprocessing unit 15 may be configured as separate components (may bemounted on another PC, for example) and are not necessarily provided toone device integrally.

The host device 11 may be connected to a communication line, such as theInternet, and may be connected to the DFE 30 via the communication linein a manner capable of transmitting and receiving data to and from theDFE 30.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a specific configuration of the hostdevice 11.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the host device 11 includes an input unit 99A,an operating unit 99B, an output unit 99C, a display unit 99D, and acontrol unit 111.

The input unit 99A receives first color plane image data, which will bedescribed later, from an external device, such as a personal computer.The operating unit 99B is an input device operated by a user to issuevarious types of operation instructions. Examples of the operating unit99B include a button, a remote control receiving unit, and a card readerthat reads information from an integrated circuit (IC) card. Theoperating unit 99B may include a keyboard.

The output unit 99C is an interface device that communicates with theDFE 30. The display unit 99D is a display device that displays varioustypes of information, and a known display device is used for the displayunit 99D.

The control unit 111 is a unit that controls the host device 11collectively and is a computer including a central processing unit(CPU), a read-only memory (ROM), and a random access memory (RAM), forexample.

In the present embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the host device 11includes the document data generating unit 10, the print data generatingunit 20, and the display processing unit 15 as the function unitsprovided to the control unit 111, for example. These function units andfunctions included in the function units are realized by the CPU of thecontrol unit 111 loading and executing various types of computerprograms stored in the ROM and the like on the RAM. Furthermore, atleast a part of these functions can be realized by an individual circuit(hardware).

The document data generating unit 10 receives first color plane imagedata (which will be described later in detail). The document datagenerating unit 10 then generates document data by adding information ofa characterized plane (first gloss-control plane image data and firstclear plane image data, which will be described later) indicating aglossy area to which a surface effect is to be applied, the type of thesurface effect, a transparent image, and an area in which thetransparent image is to be formed to the first color plane image data,and outputs the document data to the print data generating unit 20 andthe display processing unit 15. The document data generating unit 10 maycreate the first color plane image data as well.

The print data generating unit 20 generates print data (which will bedescribed later in detail) based on the document data. The displayprocessing unit 15 generates a synthetic image indicating a previewimage obtained by estimating a printing result of the document databased on the document data (which will be described later in detail).

Specifically, the document data is image data including the first colorplane image data, the first gloss-control plane image data, and thefirst clear plane image data.

The first color plane image data, the first clear plane image data, andthe first gloss-control plane image data are generated in a portabledocument format (PDF) in units of pages, for example. By integrating thefirst clear plane image data, the first gloss-control plane image data,and the first color plane image data, document data is generated. Thedata format of the first clear plane image data, the first gloss-controlplane image data, and the first color plane image data is not limited toPDF and may be an arbitrary format. In the first clear plane image data,the first gloss-control plane image data, and the first color planeimage data, each drawing area, which will be described later, isexpressed in a vector format, for example.

In more detail, the first color plane image data is image dataindicating a color image to be printed using a color developer for eachdrawing area.

Specifically, the first color plane image data is image data specifyingdensity values of colors, such as RGB and CMYK, for each drawing area.FIG. 3 is a view for explaining an example of the first color planeimage data. In FIG. 3, a density value corresponding to a colorspecified by the user is applied to each drawing area, such as “A”, “B”,and “C”. The density value of each drawing area is represented by adensity value from 0 to 100%, for example (or may be represented by 0 to255, for example).

Examples of the color developer include liquid and toner including colormaterials, such as CMYK. In the present embodiment, an explanation willbe made of the case where color toner including each color material ofCMYK is used as the color developer, for example.

The first gloss-control plane image data is image data indicating thetype of surface effect and a glossy area to which the surface effect isto be applied for each drawing area. The surface effect is a visual ortactual effect applied to a recording medium. The glossy area isrealized by applying a transparent developer to the recording medium.

The transparent toner is colorless and transparent toner including nocolor material. Being transparent and colorless means that thetransmittance of visible light is equal to or larger than 70%. In thepresent embodiment, an explanation will be made of the case wheretransparent toner (hereinafter, referred to as clear toner) is used asthe transparent developer, for example.

The clear toner is transparent toner including no color material.

The types of surface effects are roughly classified into four asillustrated in FIG. 4. An explanation will be made of the case where thefour types are Premium Gloss (PG) (mirror-surface glossy), Gloss (G)(solid glossy), Matt (M) (halftone matte), and Premium Matt (PM)(delustered) in descending order of degrees of gloss (grossiness).Alternatively, the types may be classified more minutely.

In the first gloss-control plane image data, the density value of eachglossy area (drawing area) is represented by a density value from 0 to100%, for example (or may be represented by 0 to 255, for example) inthe same manner as in the first color plane image data. The types ofsurface effects are associated with the density values. In FIG. 4, “PG”indicates glossiness Gs of equal to or larger than 80, “G” indicatessolid glossiness in a primary color or a secondary color, “M” indicatesglossiness in a primary color and a halftone dot of 30%, and “PM”indicates glossiness of equal to or smaller than 10. Furthermore, thedeviation in the glossiness is represented by ΔGs, and is equal to orsmaller than 10. For the types of surface effects, a higher densityvalue is associated with a surface effect having a higher degree ofapplication of a gloss, whereas a lower density value is associated witha surface effect that suppresses a gloss.

To which area in a color image the surface effect is to be applied andwhich type of surface effect is to be applied to the area are specifiedby the user. The document data generating unit 10 of the host device 11sets a density value corresponding to the surface effect specified bythe user for each drawing area specified by the user, thereby generatingfirst gloss-control plane image data. The correspondence relationshipbetween the density value and the types of surface effects will bedescribed later in detail.

FIG. 5 is a view for explaining an example of the first gloss-controlplane image data. In the example of the first gloss-control plane imagedata in FIG. 5, the user applies the surface effect “PG” to a drawingarea “ABC”, applies the surface effect “G” to a drawing area of arectangle figure, and applies the surface effect “M” to a drawing areaof a circular figure. The density value set to each surface effect is adensity value specified in a manner corresponding to the type of surfaceeffect in a density value selection table, which will be describedlater.

The first clear plane image data is image data indicating a transparentimage to be printed using clear toner (transparent developer) for eachdrawing area. The transparent image indicates a drawing area formedusing the clear toner in an area other than a glossy area to which thesurface effect is to be applied. Examples of the transparent imageinclude a watermark.

FIG. 6 is a view for explaining an example of the first clear planeimage data. In the example of FIG. 6, the user specifies a watermark“Sale” as a transparent image.

As described above, the first clear plane image data and the firstgloss-control plane image data are generated on different planes fromthat of the first color plane image data by the document data generatingunit 10 of the host device 11.

FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram of the document data generatingunit 10.

The document data generating unit 10 mainly includes an input controlunit 124, an image processing unit 120, a display control unit 121, aplane data generating unit 122, and a storage unit 123.

The input control unit 124 receives various types of input from theinput unit 99A (refer to FIG. 2) and controls the input. By operatingthe input unit 99A, for example, the user can input image specificationinformation for specifying an image to which a surface effect is to beapplied among various types of images (e.g., photos, characters,figures, and images obtained by synthesizing these elements) stored inthe storage unit 123, that is, image specification information forspecifying the first color plane image data (hereinafter, it may bereferred to as a “target image”). The method for inputting the imagespecification information is not limited thereto, and an arbitrarymethod may be employed.

The display control unit 121 controls display of various types ofinformation on the display unit 99D (refer to FIG. 2). In the presentembodiment, if the input control unit 124 receives image specificationinformation, the display control unit 121 reads an image specified bythe image specification information from the storage unit 123 andcontrols the display unit 99D so as to display the image thus read on ascreen.

By operating the input unit 99A while checking the target imagedisplayed on the display unit 99D, the user can input specificationinformation for specifying a glossy area to which a surface effect is tobe applied and the type of the surface effect. The method for inputtingthe specification information is not limited thereto, and an arbitrarymethod may be employed.

More specifically, the display control unit 121 causes the display unit99D to display a screen illustrated in FIG. 8, for example. FIG. 8 is anexample of a screen displayed when a plug-in is incorporated intoIllustrator® marketed by Adobe Systems Incorporated. The screenillustrated in FIG. 8 displays an image indicated by target image data(the first color plane image data) to be processed. If the user pressesa marker Add button through the input unit 99A to perform an inputoperation for specifying a glossy area to which a surface effect isdesired to be applied, the glossy area to which the surface effect is tobe applied is specified. The user performs such operation input on allthe glossy areas to which the surface effect is to be applied. Thedisplay control unit 121 then causes the display unit 99D to display ascreen illustrated in FIG. 9 for each glossy area (drawing area) thusspecified, for example. The screen illustrated in FIG. 9 displays animage indicating a drawing area of a glossy area for each glossy area(drawing area) specified as an area to which a surface effect is to beapplied. If the user performs an input operation for specifying the typeof surface effect desired to be applied to the image (drawing area)through the input unit 99A, the type of surface effect to be applied tothe area is specified.

Referring back to FIG. 7, the image processing unit 120 performs varioustypes of image processing on the target image based on an instructioninput by the user through the input unit 99A (refer to FIG. 2).

If the input control unit 124 receives specification information (aglossy area to which a surface effect is to be applied and the type ofthe surface effect), the plane data generating unit 122 generates thefirst gloss-control plane image data based on the specificationinformation. If the input control unit 124 receives specification of atransparent image, the plane data generating unit 122 generates thefirst clear plane image data in accordance with the specification inputby the user.

The storage unit 123 stores therein a density value selection table thatstores therein the types of surface effects and density valuescorresponding to the types of surface effects. FIG. 10 is a schematic ofan example of the density value selection table. In the exampleillustrated in FIG. 10, the density value corresponding to “PG” is 98%,the density value corresponding to “G” is 90%, the density valuecorresponding to “M” is 16%, and the density value corresponding to “PM”is 6%. The types of surface effects may be set in a manner classifiedmore minutely.

Referring back to FIG. 7, the plane data generating unit 122 sets thedensity value of the drawing area for which a predetermined surfaceeffect is specified by the user to a value corresponding to the type ofthe surface effect referring to the density value selection tableillustrated in FIG. 10, thereby generating the first gloss-control planeimage data. The first gloss-control plane image data generated by theplane data generating unit 122 is data in a vector format expressed as aset of drawing areas indicating coordinates of points, parameters ofequations of lines and planes connecting the points, and fill andspecial effects, for example.

The plane data generating unit 122 generates document data byintegrating the first gloss-control plane image data, the first colorplane image data serving as the target image, and the first clear planeimage data, and transfers the document data to the print data generatingunit 20 and the display processing unit 15.

The print data generating unit 20 will now be described.

The print data generating unit 20 generates print data based on thedocument data thus received. The print data includes the document dataand a job command specified for a printer. Examples of the job commandinclude setting of the printer, setting of intensive printing, andsetting of duplex printing. The print data may be converted into a pagedescription language (PDL), such as PostScript, or may remain in the PDFas long as the DFE 30 is compatible with the PDF.

Referring back to FIG. 2, the display processing unit 15 will now bedescribed.

The display processing unit 15 receives the document data from thedocument data generating unit 10, generates a synthetic image of apreview image obtained by estimating a printing result of the documentdata, and causes the display unit 99D to display the synthetic image.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the display processing unit 15 includes adocument data receiving unit 200A, an analyzing unit 200L (an analyzingunit), a classified image data generating unit 200F (a first generatingunit), a classified image data storage unit 200G, a display imagegenerating unit 200M (a second generating unit), a receiving unit 200K(a receiving unit), a display management information storage unit 200I,a display control unit 200J, and a synthetic image generating unit 200H(a third generating unit).

The analyzing unit 200L includes a structure analyzing unit 200B (astructure analyzing unit), an object structure list storage unit 200C, aclassification unit 200D (a classification unit), and a classificationlist storage unit 200E.

The object structure list storage unit 200C, a primary memory 201B,which will be described later, the classification list storage unit200E, the classified image data storage unit 200G, and the displaymanagement information storage unit 200I may be a primary memory, suchas a RAM, or may be a storage medium, such as a hard disk drive (HDD).

The document data receiving unit 200A receives document data from thedocument data generating unit 10. The document data receiving unit 200Amakes the document data referable in the display processing unit 15.Specifically, the document data receiving unit 200A refers to a fileextension or a file header of the document data on a page specified as apreview target, for example, thereby determining whether the documentdata is in a compatible file format in the display processing unit 15.The document data receiving unit 200A makes the document data compatibleby cancelling a file lock, for example. The document data receiving unit200A then loads the document data on the primary memory 201B provided tothe document data receiving unit 200A.

The analyzing unit 200L analyzes document data received by the documentdata receiving unit 200A. Specifically, as described above, theanalyzing unit 200L includes the structure analyzing unit 200B(structure analyzing unit), the object structure list storage unit 200C,the classification unit 200D (classification unit), and theclassification list storage unit 200E.

The structure analyzing unit 200B analyzes a data structure of thedocument data loaded on the primary memory 201B and creates an objectstructure list indicating a drawing area (hereinafter, it may bereferred to as an object) included in each page of the document data.

The object structure list is information indicating a list of drawingareas included in each page of the document data. Specifically, thestructure analyzing unit 200B analyzes an object, which is one or aplurality of drawing areas included in each of the first color planeimage data, the first gloss-control plane image data, and the firstclear plane image data of the document data, and creates an objectstructure list indicating drawing information (e.g., the position, thecolor space, and the density of the drawing area) of each object.

FIG. 11 illustrates an example of the structure of the document data. Anassumption is made that the document data receiving unit 200A receivesdocument data having the structure illustrated in FIG. 11 as documentdata serving as a preview target, for example.

The document data includes drawing information indicating one or aplurality of drawing areas (objects) specified by the first color planeimage data, the first gloss-control plane image data, and the firstclear plane image data in one page (in a single page). In FIG. 11, thedocument data includes five objects of an object #1 to an object #5 onthe first page, for example.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 11, the object #1 corresponds to adrawing area of a color image specified by the first color plane imagedata. The object #2 corresponds to a drawing area of a transparent imagespecified by the first clear plane image data. The object #3 to theobject #5 each corresponds to a drawing area specified by the firstgloss-control plane image data.

The document data includes information indicating the position, thecolor space, and the density of a drawing area for each object asdrawing information. The position of a drawing area is represented bycoordinate information or a set of pieces of coordinate information, forexample. The color space indicates which of a color image, a transparentimage, and a glossy area each drawing area (object) corresponds to. InFIG. 11 and figures, which will be described later, a transparent imagemay be denoted as R-clear. A glossy area may be denoted as R-effect. Acolor image may be denoted as RGB. An explanation will be made of thecase where a density value (0 to 100%) is set as the density of eachobject. In the example illustrated in FIG. 11, a drawing area group ofcolor images specified by the first color plane image data is consideredas one object (drawing area).

Referring back to FIG. 2, the explanation will be continued. Thestructure analyzing unit 200B determines which of a drawing area of acolor image specified by the first color plane image data, a drawingarea of a transparent image specified by the first clear plane imagedata, and a drawing area specified by the first gloss-control planeimage data one or a plurality of drawing areas that can be included insuch document data correspond to. The structure analyzing unit 200Breads the color space indicated by the drawing information of eachdrawing area, thereby determining which of a color image, a glossy area,and a transparent image each drawing area (object) corresponds to. Inother words, the structure analyzing unit 200B determines which ofdrawing areas specified by the first color plane image data, the firstgloss-control plane image data, and the first clear plane image dataeach drawing area (object) corresponds to.

Furthermore, the structure analyzing unit 200B creates an objectstructure list indicating a list of drawing areas of color imagesspecified by the first color plane image data, drawing areas oftransparent images specified by the first clear plane image data, anddrawing areas specified by the first gloss-control plane image dataincluded in the document data.

In the object structure list, objects included in a page of the documentdata are represented by a tree structure (also refer to an objectstructure list illustrated in the object structure list storage unit200C in FIG. 13).

The object structure list storage unit 200C stores therein the objectstructure list, which is a result of analysis of the document dataperformed by the structure analyzing unit 200B.

The classification unit 200D classifies each object (drawing area) inthe object structure list into a drawing area group of color imagesspecified by the first color plane image data, a drawing area group oftransparent images specified by the first clear plane image data, and adrawing area group specified by the first gloss-control plane imagedata, and generates an object classification list. The objectclassification list is a list of pointers from each object group tocorresponding objects stored in the object structure list storage unit200C, and actual drawing information is stored in the object structurelist storage unit 200C. The classification list storage unit 200E storestherein the object classification list (also refer to the objectclassification list illustrated in the classification list storage unit200E in FIG. 13. In FIG. 13, the drawing area group of color imagesspecified by the first color plane image data is denoted as a colorplane object group, the drawing area group of transparent imagesspecified by the first clear plane image data is denoted as an R-clearobject group, and the drawing area group of glossy areas specified bythe first gloss-control plane image data is denoted as an R-effectobject group).

Based on the document data, more specifically, on the object structurelist and the object classification list, the classified image datagenerating unit 200F generates second color plane image data, secondclear plane image data, and second gloss-control plane image data asimage data to be displayed.

The second color plane image data is image data to be displayed in adisplayable format on the display unit 99D converted from the firstcolor plane image data. The second color plane image data is image datain a raster format expressed by 8 bits per one pixel, for example,converted from the first color plane image data.

The classified image data generating unit 200F reads drawing informationof drawing areas corresponding to the drawing area group of color imagesspecified by the first color plane image data listed in the objectclassification list from the object structure list storage unit 200C.The classified image data generating unit 200F then integrates drawinginformation obtained by converting the drawing information of thedrawing area group thus read into a raster format and considers thedrawing area group to be a data group on a single page. Subsequently,the classified image data generating unit 200F generates image databased on information, such as the positional relationship and theback-and-forth relationship of the drawing areas included in the drawingarea group, thereby generating the second color plane image data.

The second clear plane image data is image data to be displayed in adisplayable format on the display unit 99D converted from the firstclear plane image data. The second clear plane image data is image datain a raster format expressed by 8 bits per one pixel, for example,converted from the first clear plane image data.

The classified image data generating unit 200F reads drawing informationof drawing areas corresponding to the drawing area group of transparentimages specified by the first clear plane image data listed in theobject classification list from the object structure list storage unit200C. The classified image data generating unit 200F then integratesdrawing information obtained by converting the drawing information ofthe drawing area group thus read into a raster format and considers thedrawing area group to be a data group on a single page. Subsequently,the classified image data generating unit 200F generates image databased on information, such as the positional relationship and theback-and-forth relationship of the drawing areas included in the drawingarea group, thereby generating the second clear plane image data.

The second gloss-control plane image data is image data to be displayedin a displayable format on the display unit 99D converted from the firstgloss-control plane image data. The second gloss-control plane imagedata is image data in a raster format expressed by 8 bits per one pixel,for example, converted from the first gloss-control plane image data.

The classified image data generating unit 200F reads drawing informationof drawing areas corresponding to the drawing area group of glossy areasspecified by the first gloss-control plane image data listed in theobject classification list from the object structure list storage unit200C. The classified image data generating unit 200F then integratesdrawing information obtained by converting the drawing information ofthe drawing area group thus read into a raster format and considers thedrawing area group to be a data group on a single page. Subsequently,the classified image data generating unit 200F generates image databased on information, such as the positional relationship and theback-and-forth relationship of the drawing areas included in the drawingarea group, thereby generating the second gloss-control plane imagedata.

The classified image data storage unit 200G stores therein the secondcolor plane image data, the second gloss-control plane image data, andthe second clear plane image data generated by the classified image datagenerating unit 200F.

The display management information storage unit 200I stores therein amanagement table. The management table stores therein display managementinformation corresponding to the glossy area and display managementinformation corresponding to the transparent image.

The display management information includes display information, displaycolor information, and transparency information. The display informationis information indicating whether to display each of the glossy area andthe transparent image on the display unit 99D. The display colorinformation is information indicating a display color of each of theglossy area and the transparent image being displayed on the displayunit 99D. The transparency information is information indicating thetransparency of the display color of each of the glossy area and thetransparent image being displayed on the display unit 99D.

While an explanation will be made of the case where the displaymanagement information includes the display information, the displaycolor information, and the transparency information in the presentembodiment, the display management information only needs to include atleast the display information and the display color information.

The receiving unit 200K receives the display management informationincluding the display information, the display color information, andthe transparency information from the operating unit 99B, and stores thedisplay management information in the management table of the displaymanagement information storage unit 200I. The display information, thedisplay color information, and the transparency information are input byan operation instruction issued by the user through the operating unit99B.

Input screen information indicating an input screen to be displayed onthe display unit 99D used for setting the display information and thedisplay color information is stored in advance in the display managementinformation storage unit 200I, for example. Subsequently, with anoperation on the operating unit 99B performed by the user, a signalindicating the start of setting of the display information and thedisplay color information and a signal indicating the start of displayprocessing are input to the display processing unit 15. As a result, thedisplay control unit 200J displays the input screen of the input screeninformation stored in the display management information storage unit200I on the display unit 99D. The receiving unit 200K then storesvarious types of information set by an operation instruction issued bythe user through the operating unit 99B in the management table.

An input screen 1090 illustrated in FIG. 12A is displayed on the displayunit 99D, for example. The input screen 1090 includes a PDF selectionbutton 109E used for specifying document data to be displayed as apreview and a check box 109A used for selecting whether to display atransparent image. The input screen 1090 further includes a switchingbutton 109B used for instructing to switch the screen to a detailedinformation input screen for inputting a display color and transparencyof a transparent image, for example. The input screen 1090 furtherincludes a check box 109C used for selecting whether to display a glossyarea to which a surface effect is to be applied. The input screen 1090further includes a switching button 109D used for instructing to switchthe screen to a detailed information input screen for inputting adisplay color of a glossy area to which a surface effect is to beapplied and transparency of the glossy area, for example.

The input screen 1090 further includes a display screen 110E thatdisplays a document image and a preview image of document data to bedisplayed as a preview.

An assumption is made that a check mark is placed in the check box 109Aused for selecting whether to display a transparent image on the inputscreen 1090. In this case, the receiving unit 200K stores display-ONinformation indicating that a transparent image is displayed as displayinformation in the management table in a manner associated with theinformation indicating the transparent image.

If the switching button 109B is operated by an instruction issued by theuser through the operating unit 99B, the display unit 99D displays aninput screen 112 for inputting detailed information (options) on displayof the transparent image (refer to FIG. 12B).

The input screen 112 includes a display color setting field 112A usedfor setting a display color that is a color of a transparent image whenbeing displayed and a transparency setting field 112B used for settingtransparency of a transparent image when being displayed. By operating apull-down button of the display color setting field 112A with anoperation performed by the user on the operating unit 99B, the user canselect a display color. In terms of the transparency, the user can alsoinput arbitrary transparency.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 12B, light blue is set as the displaycolor of the transparent image when being displayed, and 80% is set asthe transparency of the transparent image when being displayed.

In this case, the receiving unit 200K stores information indicating“light blue” in the management table in a manner associated with theinformation indicating the transparent image as color informationindicating the display color of the transparent image when beingdisplayed. Furthermore, the receiving unit 200K stores informationindicating “80%” in the management table in a manner associated with theinformation indicating the transparent image as transparency informationindicating the transparency of the transparent image when beingdisplayed.

An assumption is made that a check mark is placed in the check box 109Cused for selecting whether to display a glossy area to which a surfaceeffect is to be applied on the input screen 1090. In this case, thereceiving unit 200K stores display-ON information indicating that aglossy area is displayed as display information in the management tablein a manner associated with the information indicating the glossy area.If the switching button 109D is operated by an instruction issued by theuser through the operating unit 99B, the display unit 99D displays aninput screen 114 for inputting detailed information (options) on displayof the glossy area to which the surface effect is to be applied (referto FIG. 12C).

The input screen 114 includes a display color setting field 114A usedfor setting a display color that is a color of a glossy area when beingdisplayed and a transparency setting field 114B used for settingtransparency of the glossy area when being displayed. By operating apull-down button of the display color setting field 114A with anoperation performed on the operating unit 99B, the user can select adisplay color. In terms of the transparency, the user can also inputarbitrary transparency.

The transparency is specified by an integer value from 0 to 100.Transparency of 0% means solid. Transparency of 100% means colorless,and a background color can be seen completely.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 12C, light blue is set as the displaycolor of the glossy area to which the surface effect is to be appliedwhen being displayed, and 80% is set as the transparency of the glossyarea when being displayed.

In this case, the receiving unit 200K stores information indicating“light blue” in the management table in a manner associated with theinformation indicating the glossy area as display color informationindicating the display color of the glossy area to which the surfaceeffect is to be applied when being displayed. Furthermore, the receivingunit 200K stores information indicating “80%” in the management table ina manner associated with the information indicating the glossy area astransparency information indicating the transparency of the area towhich the surface effect is to be applied when being displayed.

By contrast, an assumption is made that the check mark is taken off thecheck box 109A used for selecting whether to display a transparent imageon the input screen 1090 by an operation instruction issued by the userthrough the operating unit 99B. In this case, the receiving unit 200Kstores display-OFF information indicating that no transparent image isdisplayed in the management table in a manner associated with theinformation indicating the transparent image.

Similarly, an assumption is made that the check mark is taken off thecheck box 109C used for selecting whether to display an area to which asurface effect is to be applied on the input screen 1090 by an operationinstruction issued by the user through the operating unit 99B. In thiscase, the receiving unit 200K stores display-OFF information indicatingthat no glossy area is displayed in the management table in a mannerassociated with the information indicating the glossy area.

Referring back to FIG. 2, the explanation will be continued.

The color of the glossy area and the transparent image printed on arecording medium using clear toner is colorless and transparent. Forthis reason, the display image generating unit 200M converts the colorand the transparency of the glossy area of the second gloss-controlplane image data stored in the classified image data storage unit 200Ginto the display color of the display color information (first displaycolor information) and the transparency of the transparency informationcorresponding to the glossy area stored in the display managementinformation storage unit 200I, respectively, thereby generating thirdgloss-control plane image data.

Similarly, the display image generating unit 200M converts the color andthe transparency of the transparent image of the second clear planeimage data stored in the classified image data storage unit 200G intothe display color of the display color information (second display colorinformation) and the transparency of the transparency informationcorresponding to the transparent image stored in the display managementinformation storage unit 200I, respectively, thereby generating thirdclear plane image data.

The synthetic image generating unit 200H synthesizes at least one of thethird gloss-control plane image data and the third clear plane imagedata generated by the display image generating unit 200M and the secondcolor plane image data stored in the classified image data storage unit200G to generate a synthetic image indicating a preview image obtainedby estimating a printing result of the document data.

Specifically, the synthetic image generating unit 200H reads themanagement table stored in the display management information storageunit 200I and reads at least one of a glossy area and a transparentimage associated with the display information indicating display-ONbetween the glossy area and the transparent image. If the displayinformation of the glossy area indicates display-ON, the synthetic imagegenerating unit 200H reads the third gloss-control plane image data fromthe display image generating unit 200M. By contrast, if the displaystate of the transparent image indicates display-ON, the synthetic imagegenerating unit 200H reads the third clear plane image data from thedisplay image generating unit 200M.

The synthetic image generating unit 200H then synthesizes the secondcolor plane image data and at least one of the third gloss-control planeimage data and the third clear plane image data thus read to generate asynthetic image.

The display control unit 200J displays the synthetic image generated bythe synthetic image generating unit 200H on the display unit 99D.

The image display processing performed by the display processing unit 15will now be described.

FIG. 13 is a sequence diagram of a process of the image displayprocessing performed by the display processing unit 15. FIG. 13 is asequence diagram of a process of the image display processing until thesynthetic image obtained by estimating a printing result of the documentdata illustrated in FIG. 11 is displayed on the display unit 99D.

The display processing unit 15 displays the input screen 1090illustrated in FIG. 12A on the display unit 99D. The user then issues anoperation instruction through the operating unit 99B, thereby operatingthe PDF selection button 109E used for issuing a selection instructionof document data to be displayed. If the document data serving as apreview target is selected, the document data receiving unit 200A readsthe document data thus specified and loads the document data on theprimary memory 201B (SEQ1 and SEQ2).

Subsequently, if a page to be displayed is selected by an operationinstruction issued by the user through the operating unit 99B (SEQ4),the structure analyzing unit 200B reads document data of the pagecorresponding to the selection result from the primary memory 201B andanalyzes the document data (SEQ3 and SEQ5).

The structure analyzing unit 200B then stores an object structure list,which is the analysis result, in the object structure list storage unit200C (SEQ6).

The classification unit 200D classifies the object #1 to the object #5listed in the object structure list stored in the object structure liststorage unit 200C into three object groups of a drawing area group ofcolor images specified by the first color plane image data, a drawingarea group of transparent images specified by the first clear planeimage data, and a drawing area group of glossy areas specified by thefirst gloss-control plane image data to generate an objectclassification list (SEQ7 and SEQ8).

The classified image data generating unit 200F integrates and rasterizesthe drawing area group of color images listed in the objectclassification list to generate the second color plane image data. Theclassified image data generating unit 200F integrates and rasterizes thedrawing area group of transparent images listed in the objectclassification list to generate the second clear plane image data. Theclassified image data generating unit 200F integrates and rasterizes thedrawing area group of glossy areas to generate the second gloss-controlplane image data. Thus, the classified image data generating unit 200Fgenerates the second color plane image data, the second gloss-controlplane image data, and the second clear plane image data (SEQ9 andSEQ10).

The display image generating unit 200M converts the color and thetransparency of the glossy area of the second gloss-control plane imagedata stored in the classified image data storage unit 200G into thedisplay color of the display color information (first display colorinformation) and the transparency of the transparency informationcorresponding to the glossy area stored in the display managementinformation storage unit 200I, respectively, thereby generating thethird gloss-control plane image data. Furthermore, the display imagegenerating unit 200M converts the color and the transparency of thetransparent image of the second clear plane image data stored in theclassified image data storage unit 200G into the display color of thedisplay color information (second display color information) and thetransparency of the transparency information corresponding to thetransparent image stored in the display management information storageunit 200I, respectively, thereby generating the third clear plane imagedata (SEQ11 and SEQ12).

The display management information including the display information,the display color information, and the transparency information receivedfrom the operating unit 99B is stored in the management table of thedisplay management information storage unit 200I (SEQ14 and SEQ15).

The synthetic image generating unit 200H synthesizes at least one of thethird clear plane image data and the third gloss-control plane imagedata generated by the display image generating unit 200M and the secondcolor plane image data stored in the classified image data storage unit200G to generate a synthetic image indicating a preview image obtainedby estimating a printing result of the document data (SEQ13).

The synthetic image generated by the synthetic image generating unit200H is displayed on the display unit 99D by the display control unit200J, which is not illustrated in FIG. 13 (SEQ16).

The image display processing performed by the display processing unit 15having the configuration described above according to the presentembodiment will now be described.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart of a process of the image display processingaccording to the present embodiment.

The document data receiving unit 200A receives document data (StepS400). The document data received by the document data receiving unit200A is loaded on the primary memory 201B.

The structure analyzing unit 200B analyzes the data structure of thedocument data loaded on the primary memory 201B and creates an objectstructure list indicating objects included in each page of the documentdata (Step S402). The structure analyzing unit 200B then stores theobject structure list in the object structure list storage unit 200C(Step S404).

The classification unit 200D performs separation process on the documentdata to generate an object classification list (Step S406) (which willbe described later in detail).

The classified image data generating unit 200F generates the secondcolor plane image data, the second gloss-control plane image data, andthe second clear plane image data as image data to be displayed andstores these image data in the classified image data storage unit 200G(Step S408 and Step S410).

The display image generating unit 200M performs display image generationprocess (Step S412).

The synthetic image generating unit 200H performs synthetic imagegeneration process for generating a synthetic image indicating a previewimage obtained by estimating a printing result of the document data(Step S413) (which will be described later in detail).

The display control unit 200J displays the synthetic image generated bythe synthetic image generating unit 200H on the display unit 99D (StepS414).

The synthetic image generating unit 200H determines whether the displaymanagement information stored in the management table is changed (StepS416). The determination at Step S416 is made as follows. The syntheticimage generating unit 200H reads the management table stored in thedisplay management information storage unit 200I, for example. Thesynthetic image generating unit 200H then determines whether the displaymanagement information (the display information, the display colorinformation, and the transparency information) stored in the managementtable is different from the contents read in the previous generation ofthe display image (Step S412) and in the previous generation of thesynthetic image (Step S413), thereby determining whether the displaymanagement information is changed.

If the synthetic image generating unit 200H determines that the displaymanagement information is changed (Yes at Step S416), the system controlis returned to Step S412. Subsequently, processing at Step S412 and StepS413 is performed using the display management information thus changed.

By contrast, if the synthetic image generating unit 200H determines thatthe display management information is not changed (No at Step S416), thedisplay processing unit 15 determines whether a signal indicating adisplay termination instruction is received through the operating unit99B (Step S418). If a negative determination is made at Step S418 (No atStep S418), the system control is returned to Step S416. By contrast, ifan affirmative determination is made at Step S418 (Yes at Step S418),the routine is terminated.

The separation process at Step S406 will now be described.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart of a process of the separation process.

The classification unit 200D reads an object structure list from theobject structure list storage unit 200C (Step S500).

The classification unit 200D then acquires the number of objectsincluded in the object structure list thus read (Step S502) and repeatsprocessing from Step S506 to Step S512 or to Step S514, which will bedescribed later, for the times of the number of objects.

The classification unit 200D acquires color space information of anobject stored in the object structure list storage unit 200C (StepS504).

Subsequently, the classification unit 200D determines whether the colorspace information acquired at Step S504 is information indicating aglossy area (Step S506). If the color space information acquired at StepS504 is information indicating a glossy area (Yes at Step S506), theclassification unit 200D stores the object in the classification liststorage unit 200E as an object group of glossy areas (Step S508).

If the processing at Step S508 is completed or if a negativedetermination is made at Step S506 (No at Step S506), the system controlgoes to Step S510.

Subsequently, the classification unit 200D determines whether the colorspace information acquired at Step S504 is information indicating atransparent image (Step S510). If the color space information acquiredat Step S504 is information indicating a transparent image (Yes at StepS510), the classification unit 200D stores the object in theclassification list storage unit 200E as an object group of transparentimages (Step S512).

By contrast, if the color space information acquired at Step S504 is notinformation indicating a transparent image, that is, if the color spaceinformation is information indicating a color image (No at Step S510),the classification unit 200D stores the object in the classificationlist storage unit 200E as an object group of color images (Step S514).

The display image generation process at Step S412 (refer to FIG. 14)will now be described.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart of a process of the display image generationprocess.

The display image generating unit 200M reads the second gloss-controlplane image data from the classified image data storage unit 200G (StepS520). The display image generating unit 200M then repeats processing atStep S522 for the times of the number of pixels in the secondgloss-control plane image data.

The display image generating unit 200M generates pixel data of the thirdgloss-control plane image data in accordance with the display colorsetting, such as the color information and the transparency information,included in the display management information corresponding to theglossy area stored in the display management information storage unit200I (Step S522). In more detail, the display image generating unit 200Mconverts information indicating the color and the density included inpixel data of the second gloss-control plane image data into the colorand the density according to the color information and the transparencyinformation included in the display management information correspondingto the glossy area.

By repeating the processing at Step S522 for the times of the number ofpixels in the second gloss-control plane image data, the thirdgloss-control plane image data is generated.

Subsequently, the display image generating unit 200M reads the secondclear plane image data from the classified image data storage unit 200G(Step S524). The display image generating unit 200M then repeatsprocessing at Step S526 for the times of the number of pixels in thesecond clear plane image data.

The display image generating unit 200M generates pixel data of the thirdclear plane image data in accordance with the display color setting,such as the color information and the transparency information, includedin the display management information corresponding to the transparentimage stored in the display management information storage unit 200I(Step S526). In more detail, the display image generating unit 200Mconverts information indicating the color and the density included inpixel data of the second clear plane image data into the color and thedensity according to the color information and the transparencyinformation included in the display management information correspondingto the transparent image.

By repeating the processing at Step S526 for the times of the number ofpixels in the second clear plane image data, the third clear plane imagedata is generated.

The synthetic image generation process at Step S413 (refer to FIG. 14)will now be described.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart of a process of the synthetic image generationprocess.

The synthetic image generating unit 200H determines whether display-ONis set for the glossy area (Step S600).

The synthetic image generating unit 200H reads the display managementinformation corresponding to the glossy area stored in the managementtable and determines whether display-ON is set as display information,thereby making the determination at Step S600.

If the display information included in the display managementinformation corresponding to the glossy area indicates display-ON, thesynthetic image generating unit 200H makes an affirmative determination(Yes at Step S600), and the system control goes to Step S602. Bycontrast, if the display information included in the display managementinformation corresponding to the glossy area indicates display-OFF, thesynthetic image generating unit 200H makes a negative determination (Noat Step S600), and the system control goes to Step S608, which will bedescribed later.

Subsequently, the synthetic image generating unit 200H reads the thirdgloss-control plane image data from the display image generating unit200M (Step S602). The synthetic image generating unit 200H then sets thethird gloss-control plane image data thus read as data to be synthesized(Step S606).

The synthetic image generating unit 200H determines whether display-ONis set for the transparent image (Step S608). The synthetic imagegenerating unit 200H reads the display management informationcorresponding to the transparent image stored in the management tableand determines whether display-ON is set as display information, therebymaking the determination at Step S608.

If the display information included in the display managementinformation corresponding to the transparent image indicates display-ON,the synthetic image generating unit 200H makes an affirmativedetermination (Yes at Step S608), and the system control goes to StepS610. By contrast, if the display information included in the displaymanagement information corresponding to the transparent image indicatesdisplay-OFF, the synthetic image generating unit 200H makes a negativedetermination (No at Step S608), and the system control goes to StepS618, which will be described later.

Subsequently, the synthetic image generating unit 200H reads the thirdclear plane image data from the display image generating unit 200M (StepS610). The synthetic image generating unit 200H then sets the thirdclear plane image data thus read as data to be synthesized (Step S614).

The synthetic image generating unit 200H synthesizes the second colorplane image data stored in the classified image data storage unit 200Gand image data set as the data to be synthesized between the third clearplane image data and the third gloss-control plane image data, therebygenerating synthetic image data of a synthetic image (Step S618).

By performing the image display processing described above, thefollowing display image is displayed, for example.

As illustrated in FIG. 18, for example, an assumption is made thatsecond color plane image data 700, second gloss-control plane image data702, and second clear plane image data 704 are stored in the classifiedimage data storage unit 200G.

Furthermore, an assumption is made that light blue 706 is set as adisplay color of the glossy area and that red 708 is set as a displaycolor of the transparent image.

An assumption is made that the display information stored in the displaymanagement information storage unit 200I indicates that the glossy areais displayed (display-ON) and that the transparent image is notdisplayed (display-OFF). In this case, the display image generating unit200M generates third gloss-control plane image data 702A by changing thecolor of the glossy area in the second gloss-control plane image data702 into the light blue 706 and third clear plane image data 704A bychanging the color of the transparent image in the second clear planeimage data 704 into the red 708.

The synthetic image generating unit 200H then synthesizes the thirdgloss-control plane image data 702A and the second color plane imagedata 700 to generate synthetic image data 712 of a synthetic image.Therefore, in this case, the display unit 99D displays the syntheticimage of the synthetic image data 712.

By contrast, an assumption is made that the display information storedin the display management information storage unit 200I indicates thatthe glossy area is not displayed (display-OFF) and that the transparentimage is displayed (display-ON). In this case, the synthetic imagegenerating unit 200H synthesizes the third clear plane image data 704Aand the second color plane image data 700 to generate synthetic imagedata 720 of a synthetic image. Therefore, in this case, the display unit99D displays the synthetic image of the synthetic image data 720.

As described above, the display processing unit 15 according to thepresent embodiment generates the second color plane image data, thesecond clear plane image data, and the second gloss-control plane imagedata based on the document data. The display processing unit 15generates the third clear plane image data and the third gloss-controlplane image data by changing the color of the transparent image in thesecond clear plane image data and the color of the glossy area in thesecond gloss-control plane image data to the display color thus set. Thedisplay processing unit 15 then synthesizes the image data specified tobe displayed (display-ON) by the display information between the thirdclear plane image data and the third gloss-control plane image data andthe second color plane image data, thereby generating a synthetic image.The synthetic image is displayed on the display unit 99D.

Therefore, preview display can be switched depending on setting ofwhether to display the glossy area and setting of whether to display thetransparent image made by the user.

Accordingly, the display processing unit 15 according to the presentembodiment can switch between the glossy area to which a surface effectis to be applied and the transparent image as preview display.

Furthermore, the display processing unit 15 can specify a display colorand transparency when an image is being displayed. Therefore, thedisplay processing unit 15 can display both the drawing area of thecolor image and the drawing area of the transparent image even if thedrawing areas overlap with each other.

Referring back to FIG. 1, the DFE 30, the MIC 40, and the printingapparatus 60 will now be described.

The DFE 30 receives print data from the host device 11 and generatesimage data for forming a toner image corresponding to each toner of CMYKand colorless (transparent) clear toner based on the print data. The DFE30 then transmits the image data thus generated to a printer device 50and a post-processing device 75 via the MIC 40.

The printer device 50 includes at least each toner of CMYK and cleartoner, and each toner is provided with an image forming unit including aphotosensitive element, a charger, a developing unit, and aphotosensitive-element cleaner, and an exposing unit, for example. Theprinter device 50 irradiates the photosensitive element with a lightbeam output from the exposing unit in accordance with the image datatransmitted from the DFE 30 via the MIC 40. Thus, the printer device 50forms a toner image corresponding to each toner on the photosensitiveelement and transfers the toner image onto a recording medium, such as arecording sheet. The toner image thus transferred are heated and pressedat a temperature within a predetermined range (a normal temperature) bya fixing unit, which is not illustrated, and is fixed onto the recordingmedium. Thus, an image is formed on the recording medium (which will bedescribed later in detail).

In the example of FIG. 1, the post-processing device 75 includes aglosser 70 connected to the printer device 50, a normal fixingpost-processing device 80 connected to the glosser 70, and alow-temperature fixing post-processing device 90 connected to the normalfixing post-processing device 80. The glosser 70 is controlled to beturned ON or OFF by the DFE 30. If the glosser 70 is turned ON, theglosser 70 re-fixes the image formed on the recording medium by theprinter device 50. As a result, the total amount of adhered toner ofeach pixel to which toner equal to or larger than a predetermined amountis adhered is uniformly compressed on the whole image formed on therecording medium.

The normal fixing post-processing device 80 includes clear toner and afixing unit that fixes the clear toner and receives clear toner planeimage data, which will be described later, generated by the DFE 30. Thenormal fixing post-processing device 80 uses the clear tonner planeimage data thus received to form a toner image with the clear toner in amanner superimposed on the image formed on the recording medium pressedby the glosser 70. Subsequently, the toner image formed on the recordingmedium is heated and pressed at the normal temperature by the fixingunit and is fixed onto the recording medium.

The low-temperature fixing post-processing device 90 includes cleartoner and a fixing unit that fixes the clear toner and receives cleartoner plane image data, which will be described later, generated by theDFE 30. The low-temperature fixing post-processing device 90 uses theclear tonner plane image data thus received to form a toner image withthe clear toner in a manner superimposed on the image formed on therecording medium pressed by the glosser 70 and the normal fixingpost-processing device 80. Subsequently, the toner image formed on therecording medium is heated and pressed at a temperature (a lowtemperature) lower than the normal temperature by the fixing unit and isfixed onto the recording medium.

The functional configuration of the DFE 30 will now be described. FIG.19 is a block diagram of an exemplary schematic configuration of the DFE30. As illustrated in FIG. 19, the DFE 30 includes an interface (I/F)unit 31, an I/F unit 32, and a control unit 35. The I/F unit 31 is aninterface device that communicates with the host device 11. The I/F unit32 is an interface device that communicates with the MIC 40.

The control unit 35 is a unit that controls the DFE 30 collectively andis a computer including a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM, for example. Asillustrated in FIG. 19, functions provided to the control unit 35include a rendering engine 101, an si1 unit 102, a tone reproductioncurve (TRC) 103, an si2 unit 104, a halftone engine 105, a clearprocessing 108, an si3 unit 109, and a surface effect selection table(not illustrated), for example. The rendering engine 101, the si1 unit102, the TRC 103, the si2 unit 104, the halftone engine 105, the clearprocessing 108, and the si3 unit 109 are realized by the control unit 35of the DFE 30 executing various types of computer programs stored in amain storage unit or an auxiliary storage unit. The si1 unit 102, thesi2 unit 104, and the si3 unit 109 have separation function to separateimage data and integration function to integrate image data. The surfaceeffect selection table is stored in the auxiliary storage unit, forexample.

The rendering engine 101 receives print data from the host device 11.The rendering engine 101 interprets the language of the print data thusreceived and converts each of the first color plane image data, thefirst clear plane image data, and the first gloss-control plane imagedata expressed in a vector format into image data expressed in a rasterformat. In addition, the rendering engine 101 converts a color spaceexpressed in an RGB format into a color space of CMYK, for example, tooutput fourth color plane image data, fourth gloss-control plane imagedata, and fourth clear plane image data of CMYK. The fourth color planeimage data, the fourth gloss-control plane image data, and the fourthclear plane image data are image data in which one pixel is expressed by8 bits, for example. Furthermore, the fourth clear plane image data andthe fourth gloss-control plane image data are represented by densityvalues within a range from 0 to 255 (from 0% to 98%) by 8 bits per onepixel, for example. In other words, the rendering engine 101 convertseach of the first color plane image data, the first clear plane imagedata, and the first gloss-control plane image data included in the printdata output from the host device 11 and expressed in a vector formatinto image data expressed in a raster format. As a result, the DFE 30sets the type of surface effect to be applied to a drawing areaspecified by the user as a density value in units of pixels.

The si1 unit 102 outputs the fourth color plane image data to the TRC103. Furthermore, the si1 unit 102 outputs the fourth gloss-controlplane image data and the fourth clear plane image data to the clearprocessing 108.

The TRC 103 receives the fourth color plane image data via the si1 unit102. The TRC 103 performs gamma correction on the fourth color planeimage data thus received using a gamma curve of one-dimensional lookuptable (1D_LUT) generated by calibration. While the image processingincludes control on the total amount toner besides the gamma correction,for example, the explanation thereof is omitted in the presentembodiment. The si2 unit 104 outputs the fourth color plane image dataon which gamma correction is performed by the TRC 103 to the clearprocessing 108 as data used for generating an inverse mask. The halftoneengine 105 receives the fourth color plane image data on which gammacorrection is performed via the si2 unit 104. To output the fourth colorplane image data thus received to the printing apparatus 60, thehalftone engine 105 performs halftone processing for converting thefourth color plane image data into image data in a data format of CMYKeach expressed by 2 bits, for example. The halftone engine 105 thenoutputs fifth color plane image data, which is 2-bit image data of CMYKon which the halftone processing is performed, for example, to the si3unit 109. Note that 2 bits are given just as an example, and the numberof bits is not limited thereto.

The clear processing 108 refers to the surface effect selection tablecorresponding to surface information and the device configuration todetermine whether to turn on or off the glosser 70. In addition, theclear processing 108 uses the fourth gloss-control plane image data andthe fourth clear plane image data to generate 2-bit clear toner planeimage data, which will be described later, to which the clear toner isadhered, for example. Note that 2 bits are given just as an example, andthe number of bits is not limited thereto.

In more detail, the surface effect selection table stores therein thedensity value of the gloss-control plane image data represented within arange from 0% to 98%, the density value of the gloss-control plane imagedata represented by 256 levels from 0 to 255, the type of surfaceeffect, ON-OFF information specifying whether to turn on or off theglosser 70, methods for determining the density value of the clear tonerplane image data, and the type of practicable surface effect in a mannerassociated with one another. The surface effect selection table isdetermined in a manner associated with device configuration informationand information indicating whether to turn ON or OFF the glosser 70.

FIG. 20 is a schematic of an example of the surface effect selectiontable. The contents of the surface effect selection table are determinedbased on the device configuration information and priority information.The device configuration information is information indicating theconfiguration of the post-processing device 75 provided to the printingapparatus 60. The priority information is information indicating either“gloss priority” or “type priority”. The “gloss priority” meansreplacing a surface effect specified by the user with a surface effecthaving higher glossiness. The “type priority” means replacing a surfaceeffect specified by the user with a surface effect not including “PG”having the highest glossiness. While the density value in the surfaceeffect selection table is represented as a value falling within a rangein FIG. 20, the density value corresponding to each type of surfaceeffect is set to a value equal to the value in the correspondencerelationship between the density value and the type of surface effectspecified in the density value selection table illustrated in FIG. 10.

The clear processing 108 reads the surface effect selection tablecorresponding to the device configuration information and the priorityinformation from a storage unit, which is not illustrated. The clearprocessing 108 reads the surface effect selection table illustrated inFIG. 20, for example. The priority information is information indicatingeither the gloss priority or the type priority and is specified by anoperation instruction issued by the user, for example. The deviceconfiguration information is information indicating the type of thepost-processing device 75 provided to the printing apparatus 60.

If the priority information indicates the gloss priority, the clearprocessing 108 determines to turn ON the glosser 70. By contrast, if thepriority information indicates the type priority, the clear processing108 determines to turn OFF the glosser 70.

The clear processing 108 then converts 8-bit image data into 2-bit imagedata for a pixel in each pixel position, for example. In more detail, ifa transparent image and a glossy area to which a surface effect is to beapplied overlap with each other in a pixel to be converted, the clearprocessing 108 excludes one of them in units of pixels in accordancewith priority setting separately set in advance.

Specifically, for a pixel position at which a transparent image and aglossy area overlap with each other, if the priority setting indicatesthe gloss priority, the clear processing 108 converts 8-bit image dataat the corresponding pixel position in the fourth clear plane image datainto 2-bit image data. By contrast, for a pixel position in which atransparent image and a glossy area overlap with each other, if thepriority setting indicates the type priority, the clear processing 108converts 8-bit image data at the corresponding pixel position in thefourth gloss-control plane image data into 2-bit image data.

The clear processing 108 then uses the surface effect selection tablecorresponding to turning ON or OFF of the glosser 70 determined based onthe priority information and the device configuration information togenerate 2-bit first clear toner plane image data Clr-1, 2-bit secondclear toner plane image data Clr-2, and 2-bit third clear toner planeimage data Clr-3 from the fourth gloss-control plane image data and thefourth clear plane image data.

The first clear toner plane image data Clr-1 is image data used by theprinter device 50 in printing with clear toner. The second clear tonerplane image data Clr-2 is image data used by the normal fixingpost-processing device 80 in printing with clear toner. The third cleartoner plane image data Clr-3 is image data used by the low-temperaturefixing post-processing device 90 in printing with clear toner.

The clear processing 108 then outputs ON-OFF instruction informationinstructing to turn on or off the glosser 70 and the 2-bit clear tonerplane image data (Clr-1 to Clr-3) to the si3 unit 109.

In the example of FIG. 20, if the density value of a pixel included inthe fourth gloss-control plane image data falls within a range from 238to 255 (from 94% to 98%), the type of surface effect corresponding tothe density value of the pixel is “PG”, and the ON-OFF informationindicates “ON”. In the case where the surface effect is “PG”, image datainput to the first clear toner plane image data Clr-1 is an inverse mask1. Furthermore, in the case of “PG”, image data input to the secondclear toner plane image data Clr-2 and Clr-3 is no data (no data).

Similarly, if the density value of a pixel included in the fourthgloss-control plane image data falls within a range from 212 to 232(from 84% to 90%), the type of surface effect corresponding to thedensity value of the pixel is “G”, and the ON-OFF information indicates“ON”. In the case where the surface effect is “G”, image data input tothe first clear toner plane image data Clr-1 is an inverse mask m.Furthermore, in the case of “G”, image data input to the second cleartoner plane image data Clr-2 is solid, and image data input to Clr-3 isno data (no image data).

Similarly, if the density value of a pixel included in the fourthgloss-control plane image data falls within a range from 23 to 43 (from10% to 16%), the type of surface effect corresponding to the densityvalue of the pixel is “M”, and the ON-OFF information indicates “ON”. Inthe case of “M”, image data input to the first clear toner plane imagedata Clr-1 and Clr-3 is no data (no image data).

Furthermore, if the surface effect is “M”, image data input to thesecond clear toner plane image data Clr-2 is halftone-n.

Similarly, if the density value of a pixel included in the fourthgloss-control plane image data falls within a from between 1 to 17 (from0% to 6%), the type of surface effect corresponding to the density valueof the pixel is “PM”, and the ON-OFF information indicates “ON”. In thecase of “PM”, image data input to the first clear toner plane image dataClr-1 and Clr-2 is no data (no image data).

Furthermore, if the surface effect is “PM”, image data input to thethird clear toner plane image data Clr-3 is solid.

The inverse mask makes the total amount of adhered CMYK toner and cleartoner uniform on pixels constituting an area to which the surface effectis to be applied. Specifically, image data obtained by adding all thedensity values of the pixels constituting the target area in CMYK planeimage data and subtracting the additional value from a predeterminedvalue serves as the inverse mask. More specifically, for example, theinverse mask is expressed by Equation (1):

Clr=100−(C+M+Y+K)  (1)

in the case of Clr<0, Clr=0 is satisfied.

In Equation (1), Clr, C, M, Y, and K represent the density ratioconverted from the density value of each pixel for clear toner and eachtoner of C, M, Y, and K, respectively. In other words, by using Equation(1), the total amount of adhered toner obtained by adding the amount ofadhered clear toner to the total amount of adhered toner of C, M, Y, andK is made 100% for all the pixels constituting the area to which thesurface effect is to be applied. If the total amount of adhered toner ofC, M, Y, and K is equal to or larger than 100%, no clear toner isadhered, and the density ratio thereof is made 0%. This is because thepart in which the total amount of adhered toner of C, M, Y, and Kexceeds 100% is made smooth by fixing processing. By making the totaladhesion amount on all the pixels constituting the area to which thesurface effect is to be applied equal to or larger than 100% in thismanner, it is possible to eliminate unevenness on the surface caused bydifference between the total amounts of adhesive toner in the targetarea. As a result, gloss is generated by specular reflection of light.However, some inverse masks are calculated by Equation other thanEquation (1), and a plurality of types of inverse masks can be present.

A solid mask causes clear toner to uniformly adhere to the pixelsconstituting the area to which the surface effect is to be applied.Specifically, for example, the solid mask is expressed by Equation (2):

Clr=100  (2)

Some pixels to which the surface effect is to be applied may beassociated with a density ratio other than 100%, and a plurality oftypes of solid masks can be present.

Alternatively, the inverse mask may be calculated by multiplication ofthe background exposure rate of each color, for example. In this case,for example, the inverse mask is expressed by Equation (3):

Clr=100×{(100−C)/100}×{(100−M)/100}×{(100−Y)/100}×{(100−K)/100}  (3)

In Equation (3), (100−C)/100 represents the background exposure rate ofC, (100−M)/100 represents the background exposure rate of M, (100−Y)/100represents the background exposure rate of Y, and (100−K)/100 representsthe background exposure rate of K.

Alternatively, the inverse mask may be calculated by a method assumingthat the halftone dot having the largest area ratio achieves thesmoothness. In this case, for example, the inverse mask is expressed byEquation (4):

Clr=100−max(C,M,Y,K)  (4)

In Equation (4), max(C, M, Y, K) indicates that the density value of acolor having the largest density value among CMYK is a representativevalue.

In other words, the inverse mask may be expressed by any one of Equation(1) to Equation (4).

In the example of FIG. 20, if the density value of a pixel included inthe fourth gloss-control plane image data falls within a range from 212to 232 (from 84% to 90%), the type of surface effect corresponding tothe density value of the pixel is G, and the ON-OFF informationindicates “ON”. In this case, the density value of the pixel in thefirst clear toner plane image data Clr-1 is calculated by the “inversemask m” and is expressed by 8 bits, the density value of the pixel inthe second clear toner plane image data Clr-2 is calculated by the“solid” and is expressed by 2 bits, and the density value of the pixelin the third clear toner plane image data Clr-3 is not present (“nodata”). Furthermore, the type of practicable surface effect is “G”. Theinverse mask m is expressed by an equation different from Equation (1)(by any one of Equation (2) to Equation (4)). This is because the totalamount of adhered toner to be smoothed is different from that in thecase of “PG”. The solid mask causes clear toner to uniformly adhere tothe pixels constituting the area to which the surface effect is to beapplied. Specifically, for example, the solid mask is expressed byEquation (2). Some pixels to which the surface effect is to be appliedmay be associated with a density ratio other than 100%, and a pluralityof types of solid masks can be present.

In the example of FIG. 20, if the density value of a pixel included inthe fourth gloss-control plane image data falls within a range from 23to 43 (from 10% to 16%), the type of surface effect corresponding to thedensity value of the pixel is “M”, and the ON-OFF information indicates“ON”. In this case, the density value of the pixel in the first cleartoner plane image data Clr-1 is not present (“no data”), the densityvalue of the pixel in the second clear toner plane image data Clr-2 iscalculated by the “halftone-n” and is expressed by 2 bits, and thedensity value of the pixel in the third clear toner plane image dataClr-3 is not present (“no data”). Furthermore, the type of practicablesurface effect is “M”. The halftone reduces the glossiness by performinghalftone processing on the clear toner and making the surface uneven toreflect light diffusely. A plurality of types of halftone processing arepresent, and the halftone-n is given as one of the types of halftoneprocessing. In the present embodiment, if “M” is specified as the typeof surface effect, the density values of pixels in the area where “M” isspecified in the gloss-control plane image data are commonly set to avalue within a range from 23 to 43.

In the example of FIG. 20, if the density value of a pixel included inthe fourth gloss-control plane image data falls within a range from 1 to17 (from 0% to 6%), the type of surface effect corresponding to thedensity value of the pixel is “PM”, and the ON-OFF information indicates“ON”. In this case, the density value of the pixel in the first cleartoner plane image data Clr-1 and the second clear toner plane image dataClr-2 is not present (“no data”), and the density value of the pixel inthe third clear toner plane image data Clr-3 is calculated by the“solid” and is expressed by 2 bits. Furthermore, the type of practicablesurface effect is “PM”.

In the present embodiment, the clear processing 108 refers to thesurface effect selection table illustrated in FIG. 20 to determinewhether to turn on or off the glosser 70 depending on the gloss priorityor the type priority. Furthermore, the clear processing 108 uses turningON or OFF of the glosser 70 thus determined, the surface effectselection table corresponding to the turning on or off of the glosserand the device configuration, and the fourth gloss-control plane imagedata thus received to generate 8-bit first clear toner plane image dataClr-1, 2-bit second clear toner plane image data Clr-2, and 2-bit thirdclear toner plane image data Clr-3. The clear processing 108 thenperforms halftone processing on the 8-bit first clear toner plane imagedata Clr-1, thereby converting the 8-bit first clear toner plane imagedata Clr-1 into 2-bit first clear toner plane image data Clr-1.Subsequently, the clear processing 108 outputs the ON-OFF instructioninformation instructing to turn on or off the glosser 70 and the 2-bitclear toner plane image data (Clr-1 to Clr-3) to the si3 unit 109.

The si3 unit 109 integrates the fifth color plane image data (2 bits×4planes), which is 2-bit image data of CMYK on which the halftoneprocessing is performed and the 2-bit clear toner plane image data(Clr-1 to Clr-3) (2 bits×3 planes) generated by the clear processing108, and outputs the image data thus integrated to the MIC 40. Inaddition, the si3 unit 109 outputs the ON-OFF instruction informationsupplied from the clear processing 108 to the MIC 40. In the presentembodiment, if “PG”, “G”, “M”, and “PM” are specified in one page, forexample, the DFE 30 outputs seven pieces of 2-bit image data(CMYK+Clr-1+Clr-2+Clr-3) and the ON-OFF instruction informationinstructing to turn “ON” the glosser 70 to the MIC 40.

The MIC 40 is connected to the DFE 30 and the printer device 50. The MIC40 receives the fifth color plane image data (2 bits×4 planes) of CMYKand the first to the third clear toner plane image data from the DFE 30and sorts each piece of the image data into a device correspondingthereto. In addition, the MIC 40 controls the post-processing device 75.

In this case, as illustrated in FIG. 21, the DFE 30 outputs the fifthcolor plane image data (2 bits×4 planes) of CMYK and the first cleartoner plane image data Clr-1 to the printer device 50 via the MIC 40.Furthermore, the DFE 30 outputs the ON-OFF instruction informationinstructing to turn “ON” the glosser 70 to the glosser 70 via the MIC40. As a result, the glosser 70 transits to an ON state. The DFE 30further outputs the second clear toner plane image data Clr-2 to thenormal fixing post-processing device 80 and outputs the third cleartoner plane image data Clr-3 to the low-temperature fixingpost-processing device 90 via the MIC 40.

In the example of FIG. 21, the printer device 50 uses the fifth colorplane image data (2 bits×4 planes) of CMYK and the first clear tonerplane image data Clr-1 output from the MIC 40 and irradiates thephotosensitive element with a light beam output from the exposing unit.Thus, the printer device 50 forms a toner image corresponding to eachtoner on the photosensitive element. The printer device 50 thentransfers the toner image onto a recording medium and fixes the tonerimage.

Specifically, the printer device 50 includes a plurality ofelectrophotography photosensitive elements 50A, a transfer belt 50B ontowhich a toner image formed on the photosensitive elements 50A istransferred, a transfer device 50C that transfers a toner image on thetransfer belt 50B onto a recording medium, and a fixing unit 50D thatfixes a toner image on a recording medium to the recording medium.

With this configuration, the clear toner is adhered to a recordingmedium in addition to the toner of CMYK, whereby an image is formed.Subsequently, if the recording medium is conveyed along a conveying pathand reaches the position of the glosser 70 in the ON state, the glosser70 presses (an area including an image forming area by the printerdevice 50 of) the recording medium at a high temperature and highpressure.

The normal fixing post-processing device 80 uses the second clear tonerplane image data Clr-2 output from the MIC 40 to form a toner image withthe clear toner. The normal fixing post-processing device 80 thentransfers the toner image onto the recording medium passed through theglosser 70 and heats and presses the recording medium at the normaltemperature to fix the toner image to the recording medium. Thelow-temperature fixing post-processing device 90 uses the third cleartoner plane image data Clr-3 output from the MIC 40 to form a tonerimage with the clear toner. The low-temperature fixing post-processingdevice 90 then transfers the toner image onto the recording mediumpassed through the normal fixing post-processing device 80 and heats andpresses the recording medium at a low temperature to fix the toner imageto the recording medium.

In more detail, the normal fixing post-processing device 80 and thelow-temperature fixing post-processing device 90 include a fixing unit80B and a fixing unit 90B that fix a toner image transferred fromelectrophotography photosensitive elements 80A and 90A to a recordingmedium, respectively. The recording medium is conveyed by a conveyingmember, which is not illustrated, in order of the printer device 50, theglosser 70, the normal fixing post-processing device 80, and thelow-temperature fixing post-processing device 90. After these devicessequentially perform processing on the recording medium to form an imageand apply a surface effect, the recording medium is conveyed by aconveying mechanism, which is not illustrated, and is ejected outside ofthe printing apparatus 60.

Thus, a transparent image using the clear toner is formed on therecording medium. In the area for which the user specifies “PG”, aneffect as “PG” is realized, and in the area for which the user specifies“G”, an effect as “G” is realized. Furthermore, in the area for whichthe user specifies “M”, an effect as “M” is realized, and in the areafor which the user specifies “PM”, an effect as “PM” is realized. Inother words, the device configuration including the glosser 70, thenormal fixing post-processing device 80, and the low-temperature fixingpost-processing device 90 as the post-processing device 75 can realizeall the four types of surface effects of “PG”, “G”, “M”, and “PM”. Nosurface effect is applied to an area not specified as an area to which asurface effect is applied.

As described above, the display processing unit 15 according to thepresent embodiment generates the second color plane image data, thesecond clear plane image data, and the second gloss-control plane imagedata based on the document data. The display processing unit 15generates the third clear plane image data and the third gloss-controlplane image data by changing the color of the transparent image in thesecond clear plane image data and the color of the glossy area in thesecond gloss-control plane image data to the display color thus set. Thedisplay processing unit 15 then synthesizes the image data specified tobe displayed (display-ON) by the display information between the thirdclear plane image data and the third gloss-control plane image data andthe second color plane image data, thereby generating a synthetic image.The synthetic image is displayed on the display unit 99D.

Therefore, preview display can be switched depending on setting ofwhether to display the glossy area and setting of whether to display thetransparent image made by the user.

Accordingly, the display processing unit 15 according to the presentembodiment can switch between the glossy area to which a surface effectis to be applied and the transparent image as preview display.

Furthermore, the display processing unit 15 can specify a display colorand transparency when an image is being displayed. Therefore, thedisplay processing unit 15 can display both the transparent image andthe glossy area even if the glossy area and the transparent imageoverlap with each other.

Second Embodiment

A display processing unit according to a second embodiment of thepresent invention performs processing for switching display depending onthe types of surface effects in addition to the processing performed bythe display processing unit according to the first embodiment.

In the second embodiment, components having similar functions andconfigurations as those in the first embodiment are represented bysimilar reference numeral, and detailed description thereof will beomitted.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a host device 11A according tothe present embodiment. Instead of the classification unit 200D, theclassification list storage unit 200E, the classified image datagenerating unit 200F, the classified image data storage unit 200G, thedisplay image generating unit 200M, the synthetic image generating unit200H, the display control unit 200J, the receiving unit 200K, and thedisplay management information storage unit 200I included in the hostdevice 11 according to the first embodiment, the host device 11Aaccording to the second embodiment includes a classification unit 201D,a classification list storage unit 201E, a classified image datagenerating unit 201F, a classified image data storage unit 201G, adisplay image generating unit 201M, a synthetic image generating unit201H, a display control unit 201J, a receiving unit 201K, and a displaymanagement information storage unit 201I.

Components different from those in the first embodiment will now bedescribed in detail.

Similarly to the classification unit 200D, the classification unit 201Dclassifies each object (drawing area) in an object structure list into adrawing area group of color images specified by first color plane imagedata, a drawing area group of transparent images specified by firstclear plane image data, and a drawing area group specified by firstgloss-control plane image data.

In the present embodiment, the classification unit 201D furtherclassifies the drawing area group specified by the first gloss-controlplane image data by each type of surface effects. The classificationunit 201D generates an object classification list indicating the drawingarea of each type of surface effects, the drawing area group of colorimages specified by the first color plane image data, and the drawingarea group of transparent images specified by the first clear planeimage data.

The classification list storage unit 201E stores therein the objectclassification list (also refer to the classification list storage unit201E in FIG. 22).

Similarly to the classified image data generating unit 200F, theclassified image data generating unit 201F generates second color planeimage data and second clear plane image data as image data to bedisplayed based on document data, more specifically, on the objectstructure list and the object classification list. The classified imagedata generating unit 201F further generates second gloss-control planeimage data for each type of surface effects based on the objectstructure list and the object classification list.

In other words, the classified image data generating unit 201F readsdrawing information of a drawing area corresponding to each drawing areagroup for each type of surface effects of a glossy area specified by thefirst gloss-control plane image data in the object classification listfrom an object structure list storage unit 200C. The classified imagedata generating unit 201F then integrates drawing information obtainedby converting the drawing information of the drawing area group thusread into a raster format for each type of surface effects and considersthe drawing area group for each type of surface effects thus integratedto be a data group on a single page. Subsequently, the classified imagedata generating unit 201F generates image data based on information,such as the positional relationship and the back-and-forth relationshipof the drawing areas included in the drawing area group, therebygenerating the second gloss-control plane image data for each type ofsurface effects.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the classified image datagenerating unit 201F generates the second gloss-control plane image datafor each type of surface effects in addition to the second color planeimage data and the second clear plane image data.

The classified image data storage unit 201G stores therein each displayimage data generated by the classified image data generating unit 201F(also refer to the classified image data storage unit 201G in FIG. 22).

The display management information storage unit 201I stores therein amanagement table. The management table stores therein display managementinformation corresponding to the glossy area and display managementinformation corresponding to the transparent image. The displaymanagement information storage unit 201I according to the presentembodiment stores therein the display management information for eachtype of surface effects of the glossy area.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, information indicating whether todisplay the glossy area on a display unit 99D (display ON information ordisplay OFF information), display color information, and transparencyinformation are set for each type of surface effects (also refer to thedisplay management information storage unit 201I in FIG. 22).

The receiving unit 201K receives the display management informationincluding the display information, the display color information, andthe transparency information from an operating unit 99B, and stores thedisplay management information in the management table of the displaymanagement information storage unit 201I. The display information, thedisplay color information, and the transparency information are input byan operation instruction issued by the user through the operating unit99B.

Input screen information indicating an input screen to be displayed onthe display unit 99D used for setting the display information and thedisplay color information is stored in advance in the display managementinformation storage unit 201I, for example. Subsequently, with anoperation on the operating unit 99B performed by the user, a signalindicating the start of setting of the display information and thedisplay color information is input to a display processing unit 15. As aresult, the display control unit 201J displays the input screen of theinput screen information stored in the display management informationstorage unit 201I on the display unit 99D. Subsequently, with anoperation instruction issued by the user through the operating unit 99B,the display information and the display color information are set.

The input screen 1090 illustrated in FIG. 12A is displayed on thedisplay unit 99D, for example. An assumption is made that a check markis placed in a check box 109C used for selecting whether to display aglossy area to which a surface effect is to be applied on the inputscreen 1090. In this case, in the present embodiment, the receiving unit201K stores display-ON information indicating that a glossy area isdisplayed as display information in the management table in a mannerassociated with the information indicating the glossy area. If aswitching button 109D is operated by an instruction issued by the userthrough the operating unit 99B, the display unit 99D displays an inputscreen 115 for setting the information indicating whether to display theglossy area, the display color information, and the transparencyinformation for each type of surface effects as illustrated in FIG. 23.

The input screen 115 displays a selection button 115A used for selectinga glossy area to which a surface effect is to be applied. The inputscreen 115 also displays a selection button 115B used for selectingwhether to display the glossy area selected by the selection button115A. Furthermore, the input screen 115 includes a display color settingfield 115C used for setting a display color that is a color of theglossy area selected by the selection button 115A when being displayedand a transparency setting field 115D used for setting transparency ofthe glossy area when being displayed. By operating the operating unit99B, the user can set whether to display the glossy area, the displaycolor, and the transparency of the glossy area when being displayed foreach type of surface effects.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 23, for “PM” that is the type ofsurface effect for the area to which the surface effect is to beapplied, information indicating that the area is displayed. Furthermore,light blue is set as the display color, and 80% is set as thetransparency.

In this case, for “PM” that is the type of surface effect for the areato which the surface effect is to be applied, the receiving unit 201Kstores display ON information, information indicating “light blue” asthe display color information, and information indicating “80%” as thetransparency information in the management table in a manner associatedwith the information indicating “PM” that is the type of surface effect.

The information indicating the type of surface effect may be informationindicating the density value corresponding to the type of surfaceeffect.

Referring back to FIG. 2, the explanation will be continued. The displayimage generating unit 201M converts the color and the transparency ofthe glossy area for each type of surface effects indicated by the secondgloss-control plane image data stored in the classified image datastorage unit 201G into the display color of the display colorinformation (first display color information) and the transparency ofthe transparency information corresponding to the type of surface effectfor the glossy area stored in the display management information storageunit 201I, thereby generating third gloss-control plane image data.

Similarly to the display image generating unit 200M, the display imagegenerating unit 201M converts the color and the transparency of thetransparent image of the second clear plane image data stored in theclassified image data storage unit 200G into the display color of thedisplay color information (second display color information) and thetransparency of the transparency information corresponding to thetransparent image stored in the display management information storageunit 201I, thereby generating third clear plane image data.

The synthetic image generating unit 201H synthesizes at least one of thethird gloss-control plane image data and the third clear plane imagedata generated by the display image generating unit 201M and the secondcolor plane image data stored in the classified image data storage unit201G to generate a synthetic image indicating a preview image obtainedby estimating a printing result of the document data.

Specifically, the synthetic image generating unit 201H reads themanagement table stored in the display management information storageunit 201I and reads a type of surface effect and a transparent imagecorresponding to the display information indicating display-ON betweenthe glossy area for each type of surface effects and the transparentimage. Subsequently, the synthetic image generating unit 201H reads thethird gloss-control plane image data corresponding to the type ofsurface effect whose display information indicates display-ON from thedisplay image generating unit 201M and reads the third clear plane imagedata whose display information indicates display-ON from the displayimage generating unit 201M.

The synthetic image generating unit 201H then synthesizes the secondcolor plane image data and the third gloss-control plane image data andthe third clear plane image data thus read to generate a syntheticimage.

The display control unit 201J displays the synthetic image generated bythe synthetic image generating unit 201H on the display unit 99D.

The display processing performed by the display processing unit 15 willnow be described.

FIG. 22 is a sequence diagram of a process of the image displayprocessing performed by the display processing unit 15. FIG. 22 is asequence diagram of a process of the image display processing until thedisplay image obtained by estimating a printing result of the documentdata illustrated in FIG. 11 is displayed on the display unit 99D.

The display processing unit 15 displays the input screen 1090illustrated in FIG. 12A on the display unit 99D. The user then issues anoperation instruction through the operating unit 99B, thereby operatinga PDF selection button 109E for issuing a selection instruction ofdocument data to be displayed. If the document data serving as a previewtarget is selected, a document data receiving unit 200A reads thedocument data thus specified and loads the document data on a primarymemory 201B (SEQ1 and SEQ2).

Subsequently, if a page to be displayed is selected by an operationinstruction issued by the user through the operating unit 99B (SEQ4), astructure analyzing unit 200B reads document data of the pagecorresponding to the selection result from the primary memory 201B andanalyzes the document data (SEQ3 and SEQ5).

The structure analyzing unit 200B then stores an object structure list,which is the analysis result, in the object structure list storage unit200C (SEQ6).

The classification unit 201D classifies an object #1 to an object #5listed in the object structure list stored in the object structure liststorage unit 200C into a drawing area group of color images specified bythe first color plane image data, a drawing area group of transparentimages specified by the first clear plane image data, and a drawing areagroup of glossy areas for each type of surface effects specified by thefirst gloss-control plane image data to generate an objectclassification list (SEQ530 and SEQ531).

In the document data illustrated in FIG. 11, the object #3 to the object#5 each represent drawing information of a glossy area. As illustratedin FIG. 11, because the same density value (98%) is set for the object#3 and the object #4, the types of surface effects of the object #3 andthe object #4 are identical to each other. By contrast, because adensity value of 2% is set for the object #5, the type of surface effectof the object #5 is different from that of the object #3 and the object#4.

Therefore, the classification unit 201D classifies the object #3 to theobject #5 into an object group of the same type of surface effect, andclassifies the object #5 as an object group of a different type ofsurface effect among the object #3 to object #4.

The classified image data generating unit 201F integrates the objectgroup of color images in the object classification list to generate thesecond color plane image data. The classified image data generating unit201F generates the second clear plane image data from the object groupof transparent images in the object classification list. The classifiedimage data generating unit 201F generates the second gloss-control planeimage data for each type of surface effects from an object group of eachtype of surface effects. Thus, the classified image data generating unit201F generates the second color plane image data, the second clear planeimage data, and the second gloss-control plane image data for each typeof surface effects (SEQ532 and SEQ533).

The display image generating unit 201M converts the color and thetransparency of the glossy area of the second gloss-control plane imagedata for each type of surface effects stored in the classified imagedata storage unit 201G into the display color of the display colorinformation (first display color information) and the transparency ofthe transparency information corresponding to each type of surfaceeffects for the glossy area stored in the display management informationstorage unit 201I, respectively, thereby generating the thirdgloss-control plane image data for each type of surface effects.Furthermore, the display image generating unit 201M converts the colorand the transparency of the transparent image of the second clear planeimage data stored in the classified image data storage unit 201G intothe display color of the display color information (second display colorinformation) and the transparency of the transparency informationcorresponding to the transparent image stored in the display managementinformation storage unit 201I, respectively, thereby generating thethird clear plane image data (SEQ534 and SEQ535).

The display management information including the display information,the display color information, and the transparency information receivedfrom the operating unit 99B is stored in the management table of thedisplay management information storage unit 201I (SEQ537).

The synthetic image generating unit 201H synthesizes display image datawhose display information in the management table stored in the displaymanagement information storage unit 201I indicates display-ON betweenthe display image data for each type of surface effects and the clearplane display image data and color plane display image data to generateone display image (SEQ534 and SEQ535). The synthetic image generatingunit 201H synthesizes the third clear plane image data and the thirdgloss-control plane image data for each type of surface effectsgenerated by the display image generating unit 201M and whose displayinformation indicates display-ON and the second color plane image datastored in the classified image data storage unit 201G to generate asynthetic image indicating a preview image obtained by estimating aprinting result of the document data (SEQ536).

The synthetic image generated by the synthetic image generating unit201H is displayed on the display unit 99D by the display control unit201J, which is not illustrated in FIG. 22 (SEQ538).

By performing the image display processing described above, thefollowing display image is displayed, for example.

As illustrated in FIG. 24, for example, an assumption is made thatsecond color plane image data 700, second gloss-control plane image data703 whose surface effect type is “PG” (density of 98%), secondgloss-control plane image data 705 whose surface effect type is “PM”(density of 2%), and second clear plane image data 704 are stored in theclassified image data storage unit 201G.

An assumption is made that light blue 706 is set as a display color ofthe type of surface effect “PG” (density of 98%) and that the light blue706 is set as a display color of the type of surface effect “PM”(density of 2%). Furthermore, an assumption is made that red 708 is setas a display color of the clear plane.

In this case, the display image generating unit 201M generates thirdgloss-control plane image data 703A by changing the color of the secondgloss-control plane image data 703 whose surface effect type is “PG”(density of 98%) into the light blue 706, third gloss-control planeimage data 705A by changing the color of the second gloss-control planeimage data 705 whose surface effect type is “PM” (density of 2%) intothe light blue 706, third gloss-control plane image data 703A bychanging the color of the second gloss-control plane image data 703whose surface effect type is “PG” (density of 98%) into the light blue706, and third clear plane image data 704A by changing the color of thesecond clear plane image data 704 into the red 708.

An assumption is made that the display information stored in the displaymanagement information storage unit 201I indicates that “PG” (density of98%) is displayed (display-ON) and that “PM” (density of 2%) and thetransparent image are not displayed (display-OFF).

The synthetic image generating unit 201H then synthesizes the thirdgloss-control plane image data 703A obtained by changing the color ofthe second gloss-control plane image data 703 whose surface effect typeis “PG” (density of 98%) into the light blue 706 and the second colorplane image data 700 to generate synthetic image data 730 of a syntheticimage. Therefore, in this case, the display unit 99D displays thesynthetic image of the synthetic image data 730.

An assumption is made that the display information stored in the displaymanagement information storage unit 201I indicates that “PG” (density of98%) and the transparent image are not displayed (display-OFF) and that“PM” (density of 2%) is displayed (display-ON). In this case, thesynthetic image generating unit 201H synthesizes the third gloss-controlplane image data 705A obtained by changing the color of the secondgloss-control plane image data 705 whose surface effect type is “PM”(density of 2%) into the light blue 706 and the second color plane imagedata 700 to generate synthetic image data 732. Therefore, in this case,the display unit 99D displays a synthetic image of the synthetic imagedata 732.

An assumption is made that the display information stored in the displaymanagement information storage unit 201I indicates that “PG” (density of98%) and the transparent image are not displayed (display-OFF) and that“PM” (density of 2%) is displayed (display-ON). In this case, thesynthetic image generating unit 201H synthesizes the third gloss-controlplane image data 705A obtained by changing the color of the secondgloss-control plane image data 705 whose surface effect type is “PM”(density of 2%) into the light blue 706, the third gloss-control planeimage data 703A obtained by changing the color of the secondgloss-control plane image data 703 whose surface effect type is “PG”(density of 98%) into the light blue 706, and the third clear planeimage data 704A obtained by changing the color of the second clear planeimage data 704 into the red 708 and the second color plane image data700 to generate synthetic image data 734. Therefore, in this case, thedisplay unit 99D displays a synthetic image of the synthetic image data734.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the secondgloss-control plane image data is generated for each type of surfaceeffects. Subsequently, the third gloss-control plane image data of thetype of surface effect specified to be displayed (display-ON) by thedisplay information, the third clear plane image data, and the secondcolor plane image data are synthesized to generate a synthetic image.The synthetic image is then displayed on the display unit 99D.

Therefore, it is possible to provide a function to switch displaydepending on the types of surface effects in addition to the functionsaccording to the first embodiment.

While the explanations have been made of the embodiments of the presentinvention, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments.Various changes and modifications can be made without departing from thespirit and scope of the present invention.

While the display processing unit 15 is provided to the host device 11or 11A in the embodiments, the display processing unit 15 may beprovided to the DFE 30, for example.

While the clear toner is used for printing a transparent image andapplying a surface effect in the present embodiment, any color materialincluding a transparent developer may be used, and toner is notnecessarily used. Instead of the clear toner, a transparent liquiddeveloper may be used, for example.

While the printer device 50 forms an image using toner in a plurality ofcolors of CMYK, the printer device 50 may form an image usingmonochromatic toner.

Third Embodiment

While the host device 11 and the host device 11A generate a syntheticimage in the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the presentinvention is not limited thereto.

In other words, any of a plurality of processes performed by a firstdevice may be performed by one or more second devices connected to thefirst device via a network.

In an image forming system according to a third embodiment of thepresent invention, for example, a part of functions of a host device isimplemented on a server device on a network.

FIG. 25 is an exemplary schematic of a configuration of an image formingsystem according to the present embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 25,an image forming system 100D according to the present embodimentincludes a host device 110, a DFE 30, an MIC 40, and a printingapparatus 60.

In the present embodiment, the host device 110 is connected to a serverdevice 3060 via a network such as the Internet. Furthermore, in thepresent embodiment, functions of the analyzing unit 200L, the classifiedimage data generating unit 200F, the display image generating unit 200M,and the synthetic image generating unit 200H in the host device 11according to the first embodiment are provided to the server device3060.

The configurations of the host device 110, the DFE 30, the MIC 40, andthe printing apparatus 60 are the same as those in the first embodiment.

In other words, specifically, the host device 110 is connected to thesingle server device 3060 via a network (cloud) such as the Internet inthe present embodiment. The server device 3060 is provided with thefunctions of the analyzing unit 200L, the classified image datagenerating unit 200F, the display image generating unit 200M, and thesynthetic image generating unit 200H according to the first embodimentand performs generation process of a synthetic image.

The server device 3060 will now be described. FIG. 26 is a block diagramof a functional configuration of the server device 3060 according to thepresent embodiment. The server device 3060 mainly includes a storageunit 3070, an analyzing unit 3061, a classified image data generatingunit 3062, a display image generating unit 3063, a synthetic imagegenerating unit 3064, and a communication unit 3065.

The communication unit 3065 transmits and receives various types of dataand requests to and from the host device 110. More specifically, thecommunication unit 3065 receives first data including document data anddisplay information stored in a management table stored in a displaymanagement information storage unit 200I from the host device 110.Furthermore, the communication unit 3065 transmits a synthetic imagesynthesized by the synthetic image generating unit 3064 to the hostdevice 110.

The functions of the analyzing unit 3061, the classified image datagenerating unit 3062, the display image generating unit 3063, and thesynthetic image generating unit 3064 are the same as those of theanalyzing unit 200L, the classified image data generating unit 200F, thedisplay image generating unit 200M, and the synthetic image generatingunit 200H described in the first embodiment, respectively.

The storage unit 3070 is a storage medium, such as an HDD and a memory,and stores therein an object structure list and second color plane imagedata, second gloss-control plane image data, and second clear planeimage data generated by the classified image data generating unit 3062.The storage unit 3070 stores therein an object classification listclassified by the analyzing unit 3061. The storage unit 3070 storestherein the first data received by the communication unit 3065.

The host device 110 will now be described.

FIG. 27 is a functional block diagram of the host device 110. The hostdevice 110 includes the display unit 99D, the input unit 99A, theoperating unit 99B, the output unit 99C, and a control unit 111C. Thecontrol unit 111C includes a document data generating unit 10, a printdata generating unit 20, and a display processing unit 15C.

The document data generating unit 10 and the print data generating unit20 are the same as those in the first embodiment.

The display processing unit 15C includes the document data receivingunit 200A, a communication unit 200P, the receiving unit 200K, thedisplay management information storage unit 200I, and the displaycontrol unit 200J. The document data receiving unit 200A, the receivingunit 200K, the display management information storage unit 200I, and thedisplay control unit 200J are the same as those in the first embodiment.

The communication unit 200P transmits the first data to the host device110. The communication unit 200P receives a synthetic image from thehost device 110.

Image display processing performed by the display processing unit 15C ofthe host device 110 according to the present embodiment will now bedescribed.

FIG. 28 is a flowchart of a process of the image display processingperformed by the display processing unit 15C of the host device 110.

The document data receiving unit 200A receives document data (StepS2000). The document data received by the document data receiving unit200A is loaded on a primary memory 201B.

The communication unit 200P transmits the first data including thedocument data received at Step S2000 and display information stored inthe display management information storage unit 200I to the serverdevice 3060 (Step S2010).

The communication unit 200P repeats a negative determination until thecommunication unit 200P receives a synthetic image from the serverdevice 3060 (No at Step S2020). If a positive determination is made atStep S2020 (Yes at Step S2020), the system control goes to Step S2040.

At Step S2040, the display control unit 200J performs control so as todisplay the synthetic image received at Step S2020 on the display unit99D (Step S2040). Subsequently, the routine is terminated.

A process of image processing performed by the server device 3060 willnow be described. FIG. 29 is a flowchart of a process of the imageprocessing performed by the server device 3060.

The communication unit 3065 of the server device 3060 determines whetherthe first data is received from the host device 110 (Step S4000). If anegative determination is made at Step S4000 (No at Step S4000), theroutine is terminated.

By contrast, if a positive determination is made at Step S4000 (Yes atStep S4000), the system control goes to Step S4020.

At Step S4020, the analyzing unit 3061 analyzes the data structure ofdocument data included in the first data received at Step S4000 andcreates an object structure list indicating objects included in eachpage of the document data (Step S4020). The analyzing unit 3061 thenstores the object structure list in the storage unit 3070 (Step S4040).

Similarly to Step S406 (refer to FIG. 14) in the first embodiment, theanalyzing unit 3061 performs separation process on the document data togenerate an object classification list (Step S4060).

The classified image data generating unit 3062 generates the secondcolor plane image data, the second gloss-control plane image data, andthe second clear plane image data as image data to be displayed andstores the image data in the storage unit 3070 (Step S4080 and StepS4100). The processing at Step S4080 is the same as the processing atStep S408 in FIG. 14.

The display image generating unit 3063 performs display image generationprocess for generating the third gloss-control plane image data and thethird clear plane image data (Step S4120).

The synthetic image generating unit 3064 performs synthetic imagegeneration process for generating a synthetic image indicating a previewimage obtained by estimating a printing result of the document data(Step S4130). The processing at Step S4130 is the same as the processingat Step S413 in FIG. 14.

The communication unit 3065 transmits the synthetic image generated atStep S4130 to the host device 110 (Step S4140), the routine isterminated.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the server device 3060 onthe cloud generates a synthetic image. As a result, an advantageouseffect to collectively generate a synthetic image even if a plurality ofhost devices 110 are present can be realized besides the advantageouseffects according to the first embodiment, resulting in convenience foran administrator.

While the single server device 3060 on the cloud includes the analyzingunit 3061, the classified image data generating unit 3062, the displayimage generating unit 3063, and the synthetic image generating unit 3064in the present embodiment, the configuration is not limited thereto.

Alternatively, two or more server devices may be provided on the cloud,for example, and the processing described above may be distributed toand performed by the two or more server devices. The aspect ofdistribution of the processing to the server devices is not limitedthereto and may be performed arbitrarily.

In other words, as long as the host device 110 has the minimumconfiguration including the input unit 99A, the output unit 99C, thedisplay control unit 200J, and the communication unit 200P, for example,it is possible to arbitrarily perform a part or the whole of theprocessing by a single server device on the cloud collectively or by aplurality of server devices in a distributed manner.

In other words, as in the example described above, any of a plurality ofprocesses performed by the first device may be performed by one or moresecond devices connected to the first device via a network.

Furthermore, if any of a plurality of processes is performed by one ormore second devices connected to the first device via a network,input-output processing of data between the first device and the seconddevices and between the second devices, such as processing foroutputting data (information) generated by processing performed by thefirst device from the first device to the second devices and processingfor inputting the data to the second devices, is performed.

In other words, if one device is provided as the second devices,input-output processing of data between the first device and the seconddevice is performed. By contrast, if two or more devices are provided asthe second devices, input-output processing of data between the firstdevice and the second devices and input-output processing of databetween the second devices, such as between a first second-device and asecond second-device, are performed.

While one or a plurality of server devices, such as the server device3060, are provided on the cloud in the present embodiment, theconfiguration is not limited thereto. Alternatively, one or a pluralityof server devices, such as the server device 3060, may be provided onany type of network, such as an intranet.

The hardware configuration of the host device 11, 11A, and 110, the DFE30, and the server device 3060 according to the embodiments will now bedescribed.

FIG. 30 is a block diagram of an exemplary hardware configuration of thehost device 11, 11A, and 110, the DFE 30, and the server device 3060according to the present embodiment. The host device 11, 11A, and 110,the DFE 30, and the server device 3060 according to the presentembodiment include a control device 1010 such as a CPU, a main storagedevice 1020 such as a ROM and a RAM, an auxiliary storage device 1030such as an HDD and a CD drive, a display device 1040 such as a display,and an input device 1050 such as a keyboard and a mouse, and have ahardware configuration using a typical computer.

The computer program executed in the host device 11, 11A, and 110, theDFE 30, and the server device 3060 according to the present embodimentmay be provided in a manner recorded in a computer-readable recordingmedium, such as a compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM), a flexibledisk (FD), a compact disk recordable (CD-R), and a digital versatiledisk (DVD), as a file in an installable or executable format.

The computer program executed in the host device 11, 11A, and 110, theDFE 30, and the server device 3060 according to the present embodimentmay be provided in a manner stored in a computer connected to a networksuch as the Internet to be made available for downloads via the network.Furthermore, the computer program executed in the host device 11, 11A,and 110, the DFE 30, and the server device 3060 according to the presentembodiment may be provided or distributed over a network such as theInternet. Moreover, a control program executed in the host device 11,11A, and 110, the DFE 30, and the server device 3060 according to thepresent embodiment may be provided in a manner incorporated in a ROM andthe like in advance.

The computer program executed in the host device 11, 11A, and 110, theDFE 30, and the server device 3060 according to the present embodimenthas a module configuration including each unit described above. Inactual hardware, the CPU (processor) reads and executes the controlprogram from the storage medium described above to load each unit on themain memory. Thus, each unit is generated on the main memory. While thehost device 11, 11A, and 110, the DFE 30, and the server device 3060perform processing according to the present embodiment in theembodiments described above, it is not limited thereto. An arbitrarytype of device may perform the processing according to the presentembodiment, and a PC may perform the processing, for example.

While the image forming system 100 includes the host device 11 (11A,110), the DFE 30, the MIC 40, and the printing apparatus 60 in theembodiments, the configuration is not limited thereto. Alternatively,the host device 11 (11A, 110), the DFE 30, the MIC 40, and the printingapparatus 60 may be formed integrally as one image forming apparatus,for example.

The MIC 40 and the printer device 50 may be formed integrally.

While the printer system according to the embodiments includes the MIC40, the configuration is not limited thereto. By causing other devices,such as the DFE 30, to perform the processing and the functions of theMIC 40, the MIC 40 may be omitted.

According to the embodiments, it is possible to provide a displayprocessing apparatus, an image forming system, and a computer-readablestorage medium that can switch between a glossy area to which a surfaceeffect is to be applied and a transparent image as preview display.

Although the invention has been described with respect to specificembodiments for a complete and clear disclosure, the appended claims arenot to be thus limited but are to be construed as embodying allmodifications and alternative constructions that may occur to oneskilled in the art that fairly fall within the basic teaching herein setforth.

1. A display processing apparatus comprising: a receiving unitconfigured to receive display information indicating whethergloss-control plane image data is displayed and whether clear planeimage data is displayed, the gloss-control plane image data specifying atype of a surface effect applied to a recording medium and a glossy areato which the surface effect is to be applied, the gloss-control planeimage data indicating a color of the glossy area when being displayed,the clear plane image data specifying a transparent image formed on therecording medium and indicating a color of the transparent image whenbeing displayed; a generating unit configured to synthesize color planeimage data indicating a color image and one of the gloss-control planeimage data and the clear plane image data that is specified to bedisplayed by the display information thus to generate a synthetic image;and a display control unit configured to make a control that displaysthe synthetic image on a display unit.
 2. The display processingapparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a first generatingunit configured to generate, based on document data including firstcolor plane image data indicating a color image for each drawing area,first gloss-control plane image data indicating a type of a surfaceeffect and a glossy area to which the surface effect is to be appliedfor each drawing area, and first clear plane image data indicating atransparent image for each drawing area, second color plane image dataserving as the color plane image data that specifies a density value ofthe color image for each pixel, second gloss-control plane image datathat specifies a density value corresponding to the type of the surfaceeffect for each pixel, and second clear plane image data that specifiesa density value of the transparent image for each pixel; a storage unitconfigured to store therein in advance first display color informationindicating a color of the glossy area when being displayed and seconddisplay color information indicating a color of the transparent imagewhen being displayed; and a second generating unit configured togenerate third gloss-control plane image data serving as thegloss-control plane image data obtained by converting the color of theglossy area specified by the second gloss-control plane image data intoa display color of the first display color information and third clearplane image data serving as the clear plane image data obtained byconverting the color of the transparent image specified by the secondclear plane image data into a display color of the second display colorinformation, wherein the generating unit generates a synthetic image bysynthesizing the second color plane image data and one of the generatedthird gloss-control plane image data and the generated third clear planeimage data that is specified to be displayed by the display information.3. The display processing apparatus according to claim 2, furthercomprising an analyzing unit including a structure analyzing unitconfigured to analyze a structure of the document data by creating anobject structure list indicating a list of drawing areas included in thedocument data; and a classification unit configured to classify thedrawing areas indicated by the object structure list into a firstdrawing area group indicating the color image, a second drawing areagroup indicating the glossy area, and a third drawing area groupindicating the transparent image, wherein the first generating unitgenerates, based on a result of analysis performed by the analyzingunit, the second color plane image data based on image data obtained byintegrating the drawing areas belonging to the first drawing area group,the second gloss-control plane image data based on image data obtainedby integrating the drawing areas belonging to the second drawing areagroup, and the second clear plane image data based on image dataobtained by integrating the drawing areas belonging to the third drawingarea group.
 4. The display processing apparatus according to claim 3,wherein the classification unit further classifies the second drawingarea group by each type of the surface effect, the first generating unitgenerates a plurality of pieces of the second gloss-control plane imagedata by integrating the drawing areas belonging to the second drawingarea group for each type of the surface effect, the storage unit storestherein a plurality of types of the first display color informationindicating the color of the glossy area when being displayed for eachtype of the surface effect, the second generating unit generates thethird gloss-control plane image data by converting the color of theglossy area specified by the second gloss-control plane image data intoa display color of the first display color information corresponding tothe type of the surface effect of the glossy area, the receiving unitreceives the display information indicating whether the thirdgloss-control plane image data generated for each type of the surfaceeffect of the glossy area is displayed and whether the third clear planeimage data is displayed, and the generating unit generates a syntheticimage by synthesizing the second color plane image data and one of oneor a plurality of types of the third gloss-control plane image data andthe third clear plane image data that is specified to be displayed bythe display information.
 5. The image processing apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein the transparent image and the surface effect are formedby applying a transparent developer to the recording medium.
 6. An imageforming system comprising: a printing unit configured to form an imageon a recording medium based on document data; and a display processingapparatus configured to display a synthetic image indicating a previewimage obtained by estimating a result of printing performed by theprinting unit on a display unit, wherein the display processingapparatus includes a receiving unit configured to receive displayinformation indicating whether gloss-control plane image data isdisplayed and whether clear plane image data is displayed, thegloss-control plane image data specifying a type of a surface effectapplied to a recording medium and a glossy area to which the surfaceeffect is to be applied, the gloss-control plane image data indicating acolor of the glossy area when being displayed, the clear plane imagedata specifying a transparent image formed on the recording medium andindicating a color of the transparent image when being displayed, thegloss-control plane image data and the clear plane image data beinggenerated based on the document data; a generating unit configured tosynthesize color plane image data indicating a color image and one ofthe gloss-control plane image data and the clear plane image data thatis specified to be displayed by the display information thus to generatea synthetic image; and a display control unit configured to make acontrol that displays the synthetic image on the display unit.
 7. Anon-transitory computer-readable recording medium with an executableprogram stored thereon, wherein the program instructs a processor toperform: receiving display information indicating whether gloss-controlplane image data is displayed and whether clear plane image data isdisplayed, the gloss-control plane image data specifying a type of asurface effect applied to a recording medium and a glossy area to whichthe surface effect is to be applied, the gloss-control plane image dataindicating a color of the glossy area when being displayed, the clearplane image data specifying a transparent image formed on the recordingmedium and indicating a color of the transparent image when beingdisplayed; synthesizing color plane image data indicating a color imageand one of the gloss-control plane image data and the clear plane imagedata that is specified to be displayed by the display information thusto generate a synthetic image; and displaying the synthetic image on adisplay unit.